Bernini's Elephant Statue in Rome Vandalized Again, Tusk Broken
The Elephant of Minerva, a 17th-century sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in Piazza della Minerva, Rome, has been vandalized again. The right tusk was broken off, repeating a similar incident from 2016. The fragment was found on the ground and handed to the Sovrintendenza Capitolina. It is unclear whether the damage was intentional vandalism, caused by adverse weather, or accidental impact. The Sovrintendenza plans to restore the statue quickly, while police investigate using surveillance cameras. The elephant, completed in 1667, was actually executed by sculptor Ercole Ferrata based on Bernini's design. It supports an obelisk discovered in 1665 by Dominican friars. Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli condemned the act, linking it to a major Bernini exhibition recently opened at Palazzo Barberini.
Key facts
- The Elephant of Minerva in Rome had its right tusk broken.
- The sculpture is by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (designed) and Ercole Ferrata (executed).
- A similar vandalism occurred in 2016.
- The fragment was recovered and given to the Sovrintendenza Capitolina.
- Cause may be vandalism, weather, or accident.
- Police are investigating with CCTV footage.
- The statue was completed in 1667.
- Minister Alessandro Giuli commented, linking to a Bernini exhibition at Palazzo Barberini.
Entities
Artists
- Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Ercole Ferrata
Institutions
- Sovrintendenza Capitolina
- Ministero della Cultura
- Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma
- Palazzo Barberini
- Galleria di Arte Antica di Palazzo Barberini
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Piazza della Minerva
- Santa Maria della Minerva