A painting of a cherub that bore a striking resemblance to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has been removed from the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina following public outcry. The unexpected alteration took place when the church reopened on Wednesday, revealing that the face of the angel had been obscured with paint, although the cherub’s body remained intact. This decision came after days of speculation and controversy surrounding the artwork, which attracted significant attention from both locals and tourists.
The incident began when La Repubblica published an image of the angel on its front page, highlighting its resemblance to Meloni. In response, church authorities requested that the restorer, Bruno Valentinetti, cover the face of the angel. Valentinetti later acknowledged that he had styled the cherub’s features after Meloni but did not provide a reason for this artistic choice. The painting, created in 2000 during renovations of one of the basilica’s chapels, was not originally intended to depict a political figure.
Investigations and Church Policy
Following the public reaction, both the diocese of Rome and the Italian Culture Ministry launched investigations. They aimed to determine the original appearance of the cherub and the appropriateness of incorporating political figures into religious art. Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the pope’s vicar for Rome, emphasized that political imagery should not be present in ecclesiastical settings.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, one of the oldest in Rome, received increased attention during this period. Crowds gathered to see the Meloni cherub, at times disrupting Mass services. The Culture Ministry responded to the situation by establishing new guidelines for any future alterations to the artwork. They specified that any repainting of the angel’s face would require prior authorization from the government, the diocese, and the ministry’s superintendency for Rome, along with a detailed sketch of the proposed image.
Public Reaction and Artistic Context
The painting and its subsequent removal have sparked discussions about the role of art in religious spaces and the intersection of politics and culture. Valentinetti had initially restored the cherub after water damage to the basilica began in March 2023. The original angel had featured a cherub holding a map of Italy, kneeling before the bust of the last king of Italy, Umberto II.
In light of the controversy, Meloni herself took to social media to comment on the situation, humorously stating, “No, I definitely don’t look like an angel,” accompanied by a laughing emoji and a photo of the altered artwork. This lighthearted response contrasts with the serious discussions surrounding the implications of the cherub’s resemblance to a contemporary political figure.
As this story evolves, the focus remains on the balance between artistic expression and respect for religious traditions. The erasure of the Meloni cherub serves as a reminder of the complexities involved when art intersects with politics and public sentiment.
