church fresco giorgia meloni 2742134
A volunteer restorer in Rome, Bruno Valentinetti, has been accused of altering a church fresco to make an angel bear the likeness of Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The fresco, in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, was restored after water damage, and the angel holding a map of Italy now appears to resemble the political leader. Valentinetti denies the likeness, claiming he faithfully followed the original design.
The incident has sparked investigations by Italy's state cultural heritage authority and the Diocese of Rome, with potential penalties if unauthorized alterations are confirmed. It has ignited a political controversy, with opposition figures condemning the alleged use of art for propaganda, while Meloni herself has publicly dismissed the comparison. The case raises significant questions about the integrity of art restoration, the protection of contemporary cultural heritage, and the intersection of art and political messaging.