Controversial Angel Fresco Altered After Resemblance to PM Meloni Sparks Outcry
ROME — A fresco in one of Rome's oldest churches has been at the center of a political and artistic storm after a restoration appeared to give an angel the facial features of Italy's conservative Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. The altered image, which stood for less than a week, was scrubbed away overnight on orders from the Vatican, church officials confirmed Monday.
The painting, located in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina—a stone's throw from Italy's parliament—depicts two angels watching over a monument to Umberto II, the nation's last king. Following water damage, the 83-year-old church custodian and artist, Bruno Valentinetti, undertook restoration work. Visitors quickly noted that one angel, holding a scroll depicting a map of Italy, bore an uncanny resemblance to the prime minister.
The likeness triggered an immediate investigation by Italy's Ministry of Culture and drew crowds of curious onlookers, more intent on taking selfies than praying, according to the church's priest. While Meloni herself humorously dismissed the comparison online, writing "No, I definitely don't look like an angel," the incident raised serious questions about the misuse of sacred art.
Cardinal Baldassare Reina of the Diocese of Rome stated that "images of sacred art and Christian tradition cannot be misused or exploited," paving the way for the fresco's reversion. Valentinetti, who initially denied any intentional resemblance, later conceded to Italian media that the angel did indeed have Meloni's face but claimed he was following the original lines. He also revealed he had been instructed to remove it by Vatican authorities.
Cultural heritage officials have now mandated that any future restoration on the site—which, notably, is not a protected heritage artwork as it dates only from 2000—must receive official prior approval. The angel now stands temporarily faceless, awaiting a new, politically neutral visage.
Analysis: The episode highlights the potent symbolism of art in Italy's deeply intertwined political and religious landscape. The basilica's location in a square historically associated with conservative politics, combined with the angel holding a map of Italy, fueled perceptions of a partisan statement. It underscores the delicate balance restorers must strike and the swift authority the Church exerts over its sacred spaces.
What People Are Saying
"As an art historian, this is a clear case of a restorer overstepping. Our role is to conserve intent, not inject contemporary politics. The Church was right to intervene," said Dr. Elena Conti, a professor of Renaissance Art at the University of Rome.
"It's absurd and frankly offensive. This was a deliberate, sycophantic act to flatter the powerful, right in the heart of Rome. It makes a mockery of both our artistic heritage and our secular institutions," argued Marco Rossi, a political commentator and blogger known for his sharp critiques.
"I saw it on Sunday. The resemblance was unmistakable. But the real story is how it became a viral spectacle overnight, distracting from the actual beauty and history of the church," noted Sophie Bennett, a British tourist and freelance writer visiting Rome.
"Whether it was intentional or not, the public's reaction shows how visually literate we are. We read meaning into images instantly. The restorer, perhaps unconsciously, mirrored the current political climate," observed Luca Ferrari, a local gallery owner.