A fresco in a historic Roman church has been altered, removing the face of an angel that bore a striking resemblance to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The change occurred overnight on , following a wave of controversy and investigations by both the Italian culture ministry and the Diocese of Rome.
The artwork, located in the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Lucina, initially depicted a cherub as part of a restored chapel. It was the amateur artist, Bruno Valentinetti, who restored the image, and subsequently confessed to intentionally painting the angel’s face to resemble the current Italian Prime Minister. Valentinetti initially denied deliberately altering the face, but later admitted to La Repubblica
that Yes, it’s the prime minister’s face. But it’s similar to the previous painting.
.
The likeness sparked immediate public reaction and prompted official scrutiny. Cardinal Baldo Reina, the vicar general of the Diocese of Rome, reportedly expressed bitterness
over the incident, according to reports. The Vatican itself appeared to order the removal of the altered artwork, though a spokesperson did not immediately comment when initially contacted.
Valentinetti stated he was instructed by the Vatican, specifically the Diocese of Rome, to remove the likeness. He told La Repubblica
on : I covered it up because the Vatican told me to.
He later added, I erased it. I don’t care. I keep saying she wasn’t the prime minister, but the Curia wanted it that way, and I erased it.
He then seemingly contradicted himself, stating, OK, it was Meloni, but along the lines of the painting that was there before.
.
The original painting was completed in 2000 and is not subject to any heritage regulations, which complicated the response. The incident unfolded rapidly after La Repubblica
first reported the resemblance on . Prime Minister Meloni herself acknowledged the likeness with a degree of amusement, posting on her Instagram account, No, I definitely don’t look like an angel
, accompanied by an emoji.
The alteration of the fresco quickly gained international attention, becoming a viral sensation. OSV News reported on the incident on , noting its brief period of notoriety before the face was removed. News outlets including The Guardian
, The New York Times
, Artnet News, and Reuters all covered the story, highlighting the unusual intersection of art, religion, and politics in Italy.
The case raises questions about artistic license, the role of the Church in cultural expression, and the increasing politicization of public spaces. While the painting itself is not protected by heritage laws, the incident prompted investigations into the circumstances surrounding the restoration and the subsequent alteration. The swift action taken by the Vatican suggests a desire to distance itself from any perceived endorsement of a political figure, particularly one as prominent and, at times, controversial as Giorgia Meloni.
The removal of the angel’s face leaves the cherub headless
, as described by The Guardian
. The incident, though seemingly minor, underscores the sensitivities surrounding political imagery and its potential impact within religious and cultural contexts. The swift resolution, orchestrated at the behest of Church officials, effectively ended a brief but intense public debate over the appropriateness of the artistic intervention.