Italy Up in Arms Over Michaelangelo's David Holding AR-50A1

[Vikram]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26501460
Image from here

Italy's culture minister has expressed outrage over an advertisement by a US weapons firm showing Michelangelo's David holding a rifle.

Dario Franceschini said the image was offensive and violated the law.

A number of Italian media web sites carried the image of the advertisement showing David holding a bolt-action rifle.

The advertisement, from Illinois-based ArmaLite, carries the line "a work of art" in promoting the $3,000 rifle.

Mr Franceschini urged the company to withdraw the advertisement for the AR-50A1.

He said in a tweet: "The image of David, armed, offends and infringes the law. We will take action against the American company so that it immediately withdraws its campaign."

Historical Heritage and Fine Arts Board curator Cristina Acidini has issued a legal notice to ArmaLite to withdraw the image, saying it distorts the artwork.

The government says it has copyright on the commercial use of images of David.

Angelo Tartuferi, director of Florence's Accademia Gallery, where the statue is on display, told Repubblica newspaper: "The law says that the aesthetic value of the work cannot be distorted.

"In this case, not only is the choice in bad taste but also completely illegal."

The marble statue of the Biblical hero was created by Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504 and is considered a masterpiece of the Renaissance.

[timmy]

The government says it has copyright on the commercial use of images of David.

I guess that this is true -- however, there's all sorts of this kind of thing that I've seen in connection with the Mona Lisa.

Angelo Tartuferi, director of Florence's Accademia Gallery, where the statue is on display, told Repubblica newspaper: "The law says that the aesthetic value of the work cannot be distorted.

"In this case, not only is the choice in bad taste but also completely illegal."

Personally, I thought he looks pretty good with the piece!

The marble statue of the Biblical hero was created by Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504 and is considered a masterpiece of the Renaissance.

Where do they find these sophisticated people who inform and interpret the news for us, the unwashed masses?

Just for this person's edification, the Biblical David was an Israelite, and as such, was circumcised. Perhaps this connoisseur of culture hasn't yet figured out what that word means, but this statue is not circumcised. He may even be ignorant of the fact that lots of people are named David today, but are not the person of the same name mentioned in the Bible, either.

[thesinfulsaint]

Oh this is from Italy. I am waiting for more stupidity from antis here in US of A. That will be a hoot to read.

Sent from samsung galaxy S-II

[skeetshot]

Any David would be better armed to slay any Goliath with an AR 50 A-1 than any slingshot (apologies to Joerg Sprave)

[xl_target]

Personally, I thought he looks pretty good with the piece!

I agree Tim.

Another case of people with too much time on their hands. It's not like Italy doesn't have real problems that need to be solved.