The devil is in the details: Painting of saints donated to Italian cathedral stirs controversy as its sponsor, priest included in artwork
At a cathedral in Canosa di Puglia in Italy, a donated painting that honors two local saints has stirred controversy because of the devil in the details: It also depicts the businessman who commissioned it as well as the priest in charge of the cathedral.
The painting, titled "Savinus vir dei" created by Giuseppe Antonio Lomuscio, features the town's patron saint, Saint Sabinus, and his friend Saint Benedict, together with an infant, three children, two men, and a woman.
But just below Saint Sabinus is Sergio Fontana, president of Foundation Archeologica Canosina which financed the artwork for 20,000 euros (about P1.16 million). Fontana is seen wearing a facemask, in an apparent nod to the COVID-19 situation.
Next to Saint Benedict, meanwhile, is Father Felice Bacco. Bacco appears to be holding a cross against his face.
The painting was unveiled in a solemn ceremony at the cathedral, attended by highest civil and religious authorities. The supposed cameo has been conspicuous enough for many, amusing some and irritating others.
Some critics were also led to believe that Bacco's cross and Fontana's facemask were an attempt to make their presence less obvious.
Local media Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA) reported that three representatives of the Municipality of Canosa di Puglia resigned from the Foundation Archeologica Canosina's board of directors after the incident.
The painting was also returned to Lomuscio two days later.
Publicly sourced money must be used for the pursuit of the entity's own statutory purposes, avoiding leaving room for self-celebrations.
Mayor Roberto Morra took note of the painting's sizable price, saying the Foundation Archeologica Canosina lives "thanks to funding from the Municipality of Canosa di Puglia, the Puglia Region, and the BCC of Canosa."
"Publicly sourced money must be used for the pursuit of the entity's own statutory purposes, avoiding leaving room for self-celebrations," ANSA quoted Morra as saying.
Lomuscio, meanwhile, defended his work, saying that he "claims full autonomy" in his "interpretive choices."
Some subjects, not necessarily Saints, represent the secular and religious world, past and present.
"I want to clarify that the choice of all the subjects represented in the composition is the result of a free artistic interpretation dictated by the need to tell the story of devotion to the Saints," local newspaper La Repubblica quoted Lomuscio as saying.
"Some subjects, not necessarily Saints, represent the secular and religious world, past and present."
He also cleared Fontana and Bacco's names, stressing that they have nothing to do with the outcome as they "expressly asked" not to portray them.
In any case, the artist has expressed willingness to rework the painting before it goes back on display.