Italian officials conceal nude statues at Capitoline Museum for Iranian president's visit
On 25 January 2016, Italian authorities covered antique nude statues at Rome's Capitoline Museum with white panels during a meeting between Iranian president Hassan Rouhani and Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi. The Guardian reported the decision to hide artworks deemed sensitive for the visiting dignitary. This incident followed a similar action in October, when a Jeff Koons nude was concealed behind a ceremonial screen at Palazzio Vecchio in Florence for Renzi's encounter with Abu Dhabi crown prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The measures reflect diplomatic accommodations for cultural sensitivities during state visits.
Key facts
- Antique nude statues were covered at Rome's Capitoline Museum on 25 January 2016
- The covering occurred during a meeting between Iranian president Hassan Rouhani and Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi
- Four white panels were used to conceal the statues
- The Guardian reported the event
- A similar incident happened in October with a Jeff Koons nude at Palazzio Vecchio in Florence
- That covering was for a meeting with Abu Dhabi crown prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- The statues were deemed sensitive for the visiting dignitaries
- Both incidents involved Italian officials making accommodations for cultural sensitivities
Entities
Artists
- Jeff Koons
Institutions
- Capitoline Museum
- The Guardian
- Palazzio Vecchio
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Florence
- Abu Dhabi
- Iran