Michelangelo’s David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But curators worry the marble statue’s religious and political significance is being diminished by the thousands of refrigerator magnets and other souvenirs focusing on David’s genitalia.
A detail of Michelangelo’s 16th century statue of David is seen on display at the Accademia gallery, in Florence, central Italy, Monday, March 18, 2024. The Galleria dell’Accademia’s director has positioned herself as David’s defender and takes swift aim at those profiteering from his image. A souvenir bag showing Michelangelo’s 16th century statue of David blowing a bubble gum on sale among other souvenirs in a shop in downtown Florence, central Italy, Monday, March 18, 2024.
Legal action has followed to protect masterpieces at other museums, not without debate, including Leonardo’s “Vitruvian Man,” Donatello’s David and Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus.” He pointed to Andy Warhol’s famous series inspired by Leonardo’s “Last Supper.” “Are you going to prevent artists like Warhol from creating what is a derivative work?’’ Danziger asked. “Many people would view this as a land grab by the Italian courts to control and monetize artworks in the public domain that were never intended to be charged for.”
Court cases have debated whether Italy’s law violates a 2019 European Union directive stating that any artwork no longer protected by copyright falls into the public domain, meaning that “everybody should be free to make, use and share copies of that work.” No matter how many lawsuits Hollberg has initiated — she won’t say how many — the proliferation of David likenesses continues.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Naples gets new ‘Venus of the Rags’ artwork after original destroyed by fireA new version of Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Venus of the Rags” has been unveiled in Naples after the original was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.
Read more »
Italian Design Brands Changes Its Name to DexelanceItalian Design Brands changes its name to Dexelance as it eyes acquisitions.
Read more »
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni seeking damages of $108,200 in deepfake porn trialItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is seeking damages of $108,200 (€100,000) in a civil trial after pornographic deepfake videos of her were uploaded online.
Read more »
Italian Prime Minister to Testify in Court Over Deepfake Porn VideoThe Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni is taking two men to court she alleges made a deepfake porn video of her.
Read more »
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Seeks Damages over AI-Generated Deepfake PornSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
Global Force Honoree Annalisa Discusses Gender Equality in the Italian Music IndustryGlobal Force honoree Annalisa talks gender equality in the Italian music industry.
Read more »