2010-11-22 Dailymail - Berlusconi: taxpayer money for Roman statue's hands & 'privates' (foreskin)

[KRH12]

Berlusconi, 74, well known for his own cosmetic surgery, shocked art lovers and opposition MPs with by touching up the hands and genitals of a Mars and Venus statue.

Full Story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ake-hands.html

22 November 2010

www.dailymail.co.uk

Berlusconi spends taxpayer money for Roman statue's fake hands and 'privates'
By Nick Pisa In Rome
Last updated at 6:40 PM on 18th November 2010

Controversial Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is under fire again after spending £59,500 of public money to fix a false penis and hands onto a Roman statue.Berlusconi, 74, who is well known for his own cosmetic surgery with various face lifts and hair transplants, shocked art lovers and opposition MPs with his touching up of the works of Roman gods Mars and Venus.The marble works of art had been on loan to the perma tanned media tycoon turned politician and were in his office in the centre of Rome and the work was authorised by the Ministry of Culture.

{photo: The hand of Venus, left, and the genitals on Mars were reconstructed at a cost of £59,500.}

The statue is on display in Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's office after the restorationOne horrified art historian said: 'It's horrific. You just can't add on bits ad hoc to these works of art - the penis and hands may well have been there originally and then removed but you can't add something on like a plastic model.'Officials confirmed that a fake penis and hand had been added to Mars, the god of war and a fake hand had been added to Venus, the goddess of love after a consultation with Berlusconi's personal architect Mario Catalano.Matteo Orfini, shadow culture spokesman for the opposition Democratic Left, stormed:'This is absolute madness. It's as if we are back in the Middle Ages when the ruling regimes did whatever they wanted.Enlarge BEFORE AND AFTER: The restoration has outraged critics of Berlusconi for its 70,000 Euro price tag, and La Repubblica newspaper called the additions 'barbaric'.

'This work, even if it is only temporary, is strictly against all international regulations of art restoration. The Minister of Culture should have stood up to Berlusconi over this.'We have already tabled a question asking for a full explanation of why this was allowed to happen - especially as to why 70,000 Euro was allowed to be spent on this when their are other cultural works in need of attention.'

Bondi and Berlusconi are both under fire for allowing the ancient Roman city of Pompeii buried by volcano Mt Vesuvius in AD79 to fall into disrepair and where earlier this month the House of the Gladiators collapsed.
When asked for a comment a Ministry of Culture spokesperson said: 'We have been told not to say anything and wait for a response from the Prime Minister's office. It's a very delicate situation.'Enlarge Berlusconi is under fire for spending 70,000 euro on the penis and hands while allowing the ancient Roman city of Pompeii to fall into disrepair. Earlier this month the House of the Gladiators collapsedA spokesman for Berlusconi confirmed the 'cosmetic surgery' but added there was no other comment to make.Architect Mr Catalano, who is known for his kitsch style, and who is responsible for designing stages at his rally, said: 'There is no problem with this. It was all authorised and can be removed if necessary.'The additions are just to show how the statues would have looked originally when made.'

It is not the first time Berlusconi has been accused of interfering with art works. In 2008 he ordered a veil to be added to cover up the bare breasts of a mural by Giambattista Tiepolo, 'Truth unveiled by Time,' which is on display in a briefing room used by Berlusconi at press conferences.On its website La Repubblica newspaper called the adding of the hands and penis as 'barbaric' and added that it had been 'carried out on the express whim of Berlusconi.'


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[z726]

Ancient Greek and Roman sculptors wouldn't have made a penis with a short foreskin. Just look at any statues from the classical period with intact penises (:P) and you'll see they're all fully covered and tapered at the tip, sometimes even smaller than normal. As a collector, Berlusconi should have known this. His fake penis is too realistic.

I'm with other art fans who think it was a horrible idea. Famous works of art with imperfections are best left that way. While he's at it, he may as well write an ending to Schubert's Unfinished Symphony, or straighten up the Leaning Tower of Pisa.