Monday, August 04, 2008
Censored for modesty
Hugely entertaining silly season story in today's Guardian about how Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi has had the painting of a semi-nude woman covered up so as not to distract voters from the content of his press conferences:
Over the table at which Berlusconi holds press conferences in Palazzo Chigi, Italy's equivalent of No 10 Downing Street, hangs a huge copy of a painting by the 18th-century Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. It was selected by Berlusconi himself.
Slap in the middle of the painting is a neat, round female breast. During press conferences, as a commentator writing for the daily La Stampa noted, the breast floats above the prime minister's head "like a halo". This, it was felt, was too much for the sensibilities of a nation that - long before Berlusconi came along - had been feasting its eyes on half-naked Magdalenes and Minervas, not to mention the blatantly erotic statuary of Antonio Canova. Tiepolo's breast, with attendant nipple, had to go.
Photos taken of the most recent press conference at Palazzo Chigi show the central figure has been retouched. An extra fold of clothing has appeared that covers the offending breast.
Berlusconi's chief spin doctor, the junior minister Paolo Bonaiuti, told Corriere della Sera it was "an initiative of those on the staff of the prime minister who take care of Berlusconi's image". He went on: "That breast [and] that nipple ended up right in the shots the news bulletins used [for coverage of] the press conferences."
Of course no politician likes to make a tit of themselves but the Guardian reveals that the cover-up has deeper significance:
The Tiepolo controversy carries an added layer of interest because the lady who has been tampered with in the allegoric work is Truth. And her semi-nudity is central to the meaning of the work, entitled Time Unveiling Truth, painted around 1743.
In a very literal sense, it is about the "naked truth". Floating on a cloud in one of Tiepolo's hallmark, duck-egg blue skies, Truth cosies up to an elderly, bearded Time who has just apparently stripped her to the waist. In one hand, Truth holds a mirror that reflects her semi-nudity to a figure representing Lies. Unable to cope with the sight, he covers his eyes.
Opposition politicians can be expected to note that, now Truth has a new top fitted by Berlusconi's image consultant, Lies should feel altogether more at ease in the office of Italy's prime minister.
Presumably, it is now less likely that Berlusconi will use his press conferences to make a clean breast of his many faults.
Over the table at which Berlusconi holds press conferences in Palazzo Chigi, Italy's equivalent of No 10 Downing Street, hangs a huge copy of a painting by the 18th-century Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. It was selected by Berlusconi himself.
Slap in the middle of the painting is a neat, round female breast. During press conferences, as a commentator writing for the daily La Stampa noted, the breast floats above the prime minister's head "like a halo". This, it was felt, was too much for the sensibilities of a nation that - long before Berlusconi came along - had been feasting its eyes on half-naked Magdalenes and Minervas, not to mention the blatantly erotic statuary of Antonio Canova. Tiepolo's breast, with attendant nipple, had to go.
Photos taken of the most recent press conference at Palazzo Chigi show the central figure has been retouched. An extra fold of clothing has appeared that covers the offending breast.
Berlusconi's chief spin doctor, the junior minister Paolo Bonaiuti, told Corriere della Sera it was "an initiative of those on the staff of the prime minister who take care of Berlusconi's image". He went on: "That breast [and] that nipple ended up right in the shots the news bulletins used [for coverage of] the press conferences."
Of course no politician likes to make a tit of themselves but the Guardian reveals that the cover-up has deeper significance:
The Tiepolo controversy carries an added layer of interest because the lady who has been tampered with in the allegoric work is Truth. And her semi-nudity is central to the meaning of the work, entitled Time Unveiling Truth, painted around 1743.
In a very literal sense, it is about the "naked truth". Floating on a cloud in one of Tiepolo's hallmark, duck-egg blue skies, Truth cosies up to an elderly, bearded Time who has just apparently stripped her to the waist. In one hand, Truth holds a mirror that reflects her semi-nudity to a figure representing Lies. Unable to cope with the sight, he covers his eyes.
Opposition politicians can be expected to note that, now Truth has a new top fitted by Berlusconi's image consultant, Lies should feel altogether more at ease in the office of Italy's prime minister.
Presumably, it is now less likely that Berlusconi will use his press conferences to make a clean breast of his many faults.
Comments:
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Peter,
Have you seen the latest opinion polls for the Lib Dems? Both BPIX and ICM put you on 16% and back down at the levels Ming was at before the knives came out. I know that these are just two UK polls and that we have no idea what is happening in wales but still this must be concerning for the Lib Dems? Although I suppose it is possible that Mike Germans personal vote will rescue Lembit Opik, Roger Williams and Mark Williams.
Have you seen the latest opinion polls for the Lib Dems? Both BPIX and ICM put you on 16% and back down at the levels Ming was at before the knives came out. I know that these are just two UK polls and that we have no idea what is happening in wales but still this must be concerning for the Lib Dems? Although I suppose it is possible that Mike Germans personal vote will rescue Lembit Opik, Roger Williams and Mark Williams.
# posted by 
: 11:56 AM
: 11:56 AM
I have to disagree. Polls give us the best way of measuring the current performance of the parties. Yes it is possible that you could double your support by this time next year but by the same token you could fall even further, it is possible that these polls are pointing to some fundamental problems.
The Lib Dems have taken advantage of the collapse of the Conservative vote along with the strong anti war vote. Since the Iraq war is not the issue it was in 2005 you have to fight a campaign on different issues but I don't think anyone is sure at the moment what they will be. I can not think of any Lib Dem policy that one of the other parties wouldn't agree with. Without a strong message I can not see how you are going to gain seats (and avoid losing quite a large number).
The Lib Dems have taken advantage of the collapse of the Conservative vote along with the strong anti war vote. Since the Iraq war is not the issue it was in 2005 you have to fight a campaign on different issues but I don't think anyone is sure at the moment what they will be. I can not think of any Lib Dem policy that one of the other parties wouldn't agree with. Without a strong message I can not see how you are going to gain seats (and avoid losing quite a large number).
# posted by : 1:56 PM
: 1:56 PM
keep dreaming TWM. Alot of disaffected labour voters will have second thoughts about voting Tory and come over to the lib dems instead.
Mark williams will increase his majority in Ceredigion cus hes a good M.P. So will Peter at the assembly elections. Do you really think people are so obsessed with political party at a local level as the hairbrain media makes out. They will vote for Lib dem individuals in local areas.
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Mark williams will increase his majority in Ceredigion cus hes a good M.P. So will Peter at the assembly elections. Do you really think people are so obsessed with political party at a local level as the hairbrain media makes out. They will vote for Lib dem individuals in local areas.
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