BlogDiary
Artist creates black-faced portrait of Italian far-right politician Matteo Salvini
Current bid for re-imagined image of the controversial party leader stands at €45,000 in online auction
NewsSteve Bannon
Steve Bannon’s nationalists can stay in medieval monastery (for now)
In the first round of a lengthy legal battle, an Italian court has ruled in favour of a right-wing Catholic organisation which the Ministry of Culture is trying to oust from a historic abbey
NewsControversies
Artist defends anti-racism football campaign that uses images of monkeys
Italian football league—which commissioned the paintings made by Simone Fugazzotto—have now apologised saying they are "inappropriate"
NewsPolitics
Culture ministry failed to vet right-wing religious group close to Steve Bannon
Decision to lease Italian medieval monastery to an organisation affiliated with President Trump’s former chief strategist is blamed on staff shortages
NewsItalian politics
Italian politician Matteo Salvini blasts sculpture showing him shooting refugees
Piece by Salvatore Scuotto instigates violence and should be removed, he says
NewsArt collection
The last of the great private Roman collections re-emerges
A 40-year struggle between Italy and the Torlonia family ends with major show in 2020
NewsLeonardo da Vinci
Italian court blocks loan of Leonardo's Vitruvian Man to Louvre
The ruling also suspends the wider agreement for the exchange of works of art between France and Italy
CommentVenice
Don’t believe what you read in the papers: Venice won't lose its cruise ships any time soon
A lack of a long-term plan combined with the economic benefits brought by the luxury liners means a cruise ship ban will take long to implement
CommentVenice
How to save Venice: a five-point plan by a leading citizen
Polls show that Venetians are about to re-elect a populist mayor who promises to bring back all the tourists—but none of the other eight candidates has presented a realistic alternative
David Landau