The Venus of Rags Burns in Naples

The Venus of Rags by Pistoletto in Naples was completely destroyed in the early hours of dawn due to a fire that is believed to have been set intentionally.

The Venus was inaugurated in Naples on June 28 in Piazza del Municipio.

The alarm was raised by local residents who, seeing the flames and smoke, called the fire department.

The Venus of Rags in Naples

A tribute from the artist to the city of Naples, the Venus of Rags was supposed to remain in the city indefinitely.

The Venus of Rags was indeed part of the urban redevelopment project “Open. Art in the Center”, which involves numerous artists and personalities from Italy and abroad, from different generations, active in the area.

The Venus of Rags, of which a version is also housed at the Madre Museum, was meant to represent for Naples a symbol of dialogue and further proof of how the city can truly become a European capital, also thanks to art.

The causes of the fire are still unknown, but investigators—who are examining surveillance camera footage—do not rule out any hypotheses.

As recently reported by the Pistoletto Foundation and the mayor of Naples, there had been a sort of challenge circulating on social media among groups of kids to see who could burn the artwork first.

Mission accomplished: all that remains in Naples is a pile of ashes.

In addition to the Madre Museum of Naples, the work is also at the Pistoletto Foundation in Biella and is currently on display in Rome, at the Chiostro del Bramante, in the “Infinity Michelangelo Pistoletto” exhibition until October 15.