I Feel your Pain

 My travelling friend Sandra just sent me a news article.  Someone (feel free to substitute idiot) contrived to break off part of the left trunk of Bernini's famous elephant which has stood in front of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva church since 1667. Turns out this also happened last November16. CTV news has picked up the story, with an eye-watering closeup.

At least the vandal left the bit behind.

The word that comes to mind is "why?" of course. And sadly, "why not more often?" That this world is nuts is undeniable; angry careless acts are on the ascendancy.

 That the world is overtouristed, often by people whose idea of enjoying art is pranking photos, is indisputable. How many 'leaning tower of Pisa standing on my hand' attempts can you count on your last visit to the Piazza del Miracoli? Is it just careless then?

This remarkable article (here's the reference in case the link doesn't last: ArtNews November 6, 2023, by Alex Greensberger) lists an astonishing 30 famous works of art that have been vandalized over the centuries. We remember hearing about some of them - big fuss at the time. Perpetrator dealt with Increased security installed. Greenberger's premise? "to raise a ruckus by disturbing the look or reputation of a work of art that people know all too well." But of course, sometimes it's deeper.

I'm currently finishing  A History of France, by John Julius Norwich * and reading about the destruction of priceless religious art during the French wars of religion and the French revolution. Over time religious iconoclasm across cultures and faiths account for such devastation. I wrote about my tiny experience in this post last year.  

Michelangelo under glass

 What's at play? Fear leading to anger leading to violence?  Confronting the 'other.'  Greensberger goes on to talk about all these motivations. Outstanding read. 

Meanwhile, we'll draw comfort in the knowledge that the trunk was not the actual marble that Bernini (or his minions) worked, but part of a 1977 restoration. 

 *swotting up for Provence in April.