A religious mural in Italy was removed from display after two local figures were added in the background.
A religious mural was hidden after artist included two community leaders
The painting - which was a gift given to the Cathedral of Casona showing St Sabinus meeting St Benedict - was taken down after it included the local priest, Father Felice Bacco and the chair of the Archaeological Foundation of Canosa, Sergo Fontana, who commissioned the £17,000 mural hiding behind a cross wearing COVID-19 face masks.
Following it becoming a meme - with internet users editing their own suggestions for inclusion, Giuseppe Antonio Lomuscio, the artist who created the image, said he believed that he had “full autonomy in my interpretive choices,” and that the final product was the “result of a free artistic interpretation dictated by the need to tell the story of devotion to the Saints.”
To local media, He added that he wanted to show “two authoritative representatives,” despite their instience they not feature in the artwork.
Following the controversy, Giuseppe agreed to fix the mural before it becomes available the public again.