AND THE AWARD FOR THE UTMOST RIDICULOUSNESS GOES TO...

... Italy.
In the recent journey of the Iranian delegation, statues of nude sculpted by our most celebrated artists were 'veiled' in order not to ehm ehm disturb Mr. Rouhani.
It's interesting to notice that the visit to the Vatican's Galleries did not prompt any such measure.
How do we say?: we're more Papist than the Pope...
I suppose that the next moves will be to veil the Davide by Michelangelo in Florence

(which has the aggravating guilt of having a Jewish name); and of course any kind of Titian

Caravaggio

Botticelli

How could we not veil the Paolina Bonaparte by Canova?

or so many others that show some kind of nudity.

Actually, I think that Mr. Rouhani would have loved to see our art. He's not an ignorant cleric.

Let's not forget that, for those who believe in God, that same God is perfect. So, how do we think that he created a sinful creature such as man and woman? ah yes...I know the excuse...
I suggest a tour pinned on Turner and Canaletto views of Venice or of modern abstract Artists..But then, isn't sin in the eye of the sinner? Who knows what sensual and sinful implications ans innuendos can be found in the soft brushpaints of the Venetian lagoon? of the sinful Tiber?

CANOVA: THE VENUS OF LEEDS

I visited more than once this wonderful show, as I live nearby.
I'm so sorry there's no official picture of the showcase of the central sculpture.
Snapshots are not allowed.
What I can say is that the showcase is one in a thousand.
So beautiful.
Why wasn't it made as THE OFFICIAL picture of the show?
Mirrors (in the right century's style) on all four walls as well as floor and ceiling, reflecting The Venus in the infinite...
White flowers plants giving life to the scene
I've seldom seen so much beauty

A GREAT BEAUTY

Sole loved Antonio Canova's works. I'd say she even was a Canova's aficionada if such a term could exist. I recently learnt that a special exhibition of a masterpiece called 'The Venus of Leeds - La Venere di Leeds' can be viewed - exceptionally - at Antonio Canova's museum.
I travelled there, in the mild hills north of  Treviso and discovered a world of beauty: amidst the museum with a record of the main works of the great Master, there she was. The Leeds Venus, in a scenery worth of the greatest World's Museums. In a square room, each wall has a mirror in 'Empire' style reflecting this beautiful Venus thousand-folds. Moreover, she's placed on a pedestal that, in its turn, is based on mirrors.
Oh, the beauty of it all....
And I was the sole visitor on that Tuesday morning.
Wherever else, Paris, London...there would be an endless queue of visitors.