Angelo’s Nudes

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 5

Angelo’s Nudes

SISTINE CHAPEL FIGURES. VEILING REPORT DENIED ROME. Artistic circles of Romo were shocked I when the newspaper II Glornale d’ltalia published an article saying that Pope Pius XL had ordered covered up with veils some of Alichelangelo’s famous nude figures in the Sistiue Chapel of the Vatican. The paper said the work had been entrusted to nu Italian painter, Biagio Biagctti, who has been engaged for some time in repairing the somewhat damaged masterpieces on the chapel’s ceiling. Questioned on the matter by this correspondent, Biagctti indignantly denied II Giornale’s report. He declared flatly he would never dream of mutilating Alichelangelo’s work by adding veils or draperies. He added that the story was ridiculous, and “irreverent” with regard to the Pope, who, he said, was not a “barbarian,’ but had a high admiration for the Vatican’s works of art. Despite this denial, however, the newspaper maintained that its story was true, saying it had heard the news from Biagett.i liimsclf, who had given II Giornale a written statement. | It was intimated by members of the staff of the paper that the painter had been told to veil with his brush some of tho parts which to the Church “appeared offensive to the morality and modesty of Catholics,” but the Vatican wanted to avoid any publicity in the matter and thought the subterfuge might go unnoticed. This explanation, • however, would seem ridiculous, for

many lovers of art in Rome know every (detail of Alichelangelo’s frescoes and ; would know at once of even any slight modification in the paintings. Two Popes in the past have ordered the draping of some of Alichelangelo’s figures. Pope Paulus IX., who even thought of destroying “Tho Last Judgment,” had Daniele da Volterra in the sixteenth century cover up some of the parts which shocked him most. I.atcr, in the eighteenth century, Pope Clem ent XII, had .some more additions made ( to Buonarroti’s work.