A Florida teacher and school principal, forced to quit her job after showing sixth-grade students a photo of Michelangelo’s sculpture of David, visited Florence and met with the city’s mayor, Dario Nardella, on Saturday. In Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio, they talked about art and how important it is for the development of the entire culture, the city authorities said.
Hope Carrasquill showed the students in class about the art of the Renaissance, the image of David, one of the most famous statues in history. She was then given an ultimatum: to resign or be fired. The woman decided to leave herself. Officially, the reasons have not been specified, but it is related to complaints about her lessons.
Parents complained about the content of the lessons, and one of them allegedly called the image of Michelangelo’s David “pornographic”. The case caused us Italy agitation, a heated debate about art and pornography, writes the dpa agency.
Invitation from the Mayor of Florence
Upon learning of what had happened to Carrasquilla, the mayor of Nardella invited her to Florence to present the American with the award of the city authorities.
After Saturday’s meeting in the capital of the Italian Renaissance, the mayor said: “I think it’s a gesture that serves to show the whole world what the beauty of Florence is, what Michelangelo’s David symbolizes, and that nudity in art can never be considered vulgar or pornographic.”
On Friday, the former director visited the famous Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, where the monumental statue of Michelangelo stands. – I am very impressed with the sculpture of David. I didn’t know that the whole gallery was built for her. It’s great and I’m really happy to be here,” Carrasquilla said after visiting the museum.
One of the most famous sculptures
The Florence Museum is one of the most visited museums in Italy, mainly because of the famous David. The marble statue was built between 1501 and 1504 and has been on display at the museum since 1873. Michelangelo’s sculpture depicts the biblical David at the moment when he is about to fight the giant Goliath with a slingshot.
Main photo source: Reuters