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Vatican Objects to Image of Frog on Crucifix

Calls it 'desecration,' but Italian museum won't take it down

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 28, 2008 6:45 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Despite objections from the pope, a sculpture of a crucified frog will continue to hang in an Italian museum, board officials said today. The Vatican slammed the work, called Feet First, as a blasphemous attack on Christianity. But museum officials cited artistic freedom and said its German creator considered the piece a self-portrait illustrating human angst, Reuters reports.

The loincloth-clad frog’s hands (which hold a beer mug and an egg) and feet are nailed to a cross, evoking imagery of Jesus. “Surely this is not a work of art but a blasphemy and a disgusting piece of trash,” said a government official. Italy’s culture minister added that state-funded museums shouldn’t “exalt artworks of desecration, of useless provocation and of nonsense.”

In this June 2, 2008 photo, protesters gather outside the Museion museum in northern Italy near a banner saying while the frog on the cross is being shown do not enter the building.
In this June 2, 2008 photo, protesters gather outside the "Museion" museum in northern Italy near a banner saying "while the frog on the cross is being shown do not enter the building."   (AP Photo)
Museum officials said today the sculpture that has angered Pope Benedict XVI and local officials will continue to be on display.
Museum officials said today the sculpture that has angered Pope Benedict XVI and local officials will continue to be on display.   (AP Photo/Othmar Seehauser)
The museum's board voted to keep the work by the late German artist Martin Kippenberger. Earlier in August the pope had denounced the sculpture.
The museum's board voted to keep the work by the late German artist Martin Kippenberger. Earlier in August the pope had denounced the sculpture.   (AP Photo)
Pope Benedict XVI was quoted as writing that the sculpture has offended the religious feelings of many people who consider the cross a symbol of God's love and of our redemption.
Pope Benedict XVI was quoted as writing that the sculpture "has offended the religious feelings of many people who consider the cross a symbol of God's love and of our redemption."   (AP Photo)
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Official goes on hunger strike against sculpture
Independent (UK)

Work a reflection of artist's 'state of profound crisis'
Times (UK)

 
art museum • Pope Benedict XVI • art • Italy • Vatican • sculpture • Catholicism

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