#Cecilie Hollberg

[storiearcheostorie]

Studi / Quei gessi "tormentati" di Lorenzo Bartolini: presentati a Firenze i risultati delle analisi sulle opere conservate all'Accademia

Studi / Quei gessi "tormentati" di Lorenzo Bartolini: presentati a Firenze i risultati delle analisi sulle opere conservate nella Galleria dell'Accademia

Redazione Sono decisamente tormentate le vicende di gran parte dei modelli in gesso di Lorenzo Bartolini (1777 – 1850) conservati nella Gipsoteca della Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. Il lungo periodo di abbandono in cui sono state tenute per molti anni, gli inconsapevoli erronei interventi di restauro del passato, il devastante passaggio dell’Alluvione del 4 novembre 1966, hanno lasciato…

[crossroad1960]

“Ahi serva Italia, di dolore ostello, / nave sanza nocchiere in gran tempesta, / non donna di provincie, ma bordello!”.

[floridaprelaw-blog]

The Legal Dimensions of Michelangelo's David Controversy: Balancing Art, Education, and Parental Rights

By Olivia Borek, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg

September 17, 2023

In March of this year, an unassuming art lesson at the Tallahassee Classical School involving 6th graders, aged 11-12, erupted into a contentious legal debate at the intersection of art, education, and parental control [1]. The epicenter of this argument was Michelangelo's iconic sculpture, David, celebrated for its artistic grandeur and historical significance. During a class on Renaissance art, students were presented with a photographic reproduction of the original sculpture, an imposing 15-foot-tall figure carved from white marble [1].

The core of the legal dispute revolved around two pivotal concerns raised by parents. Firstly, some parents argued that displaying Michelangelo's David in a classroom setting amounted to exposing minors to explicit content, categorizing it as "pornographic" and potentially running afoul of relevant obscenity laws [1]. Secondly, a faction of parents expressed their dissatisfaction with not being forewarned about the lesson, asserting that this lack of notification constituted a violation of their parental rights, as enshrined in education laws [1].

Following the incident, parents of the 6th graders promptly contacted Principal Hope Carrasquilla to voice their concerns [2]. One parent, in particular, deemed the art lesson "pornographic" and believed it to be unsuitable for minors, suggesting potential legal consequences for exposing children to explicit content [1]. This claim harkens back to historical incidents involving David's nudity, such as Queen Victoria's use of a fig leaf to obscure the sculpture's genitalia [1].          

Furthermore, two other parents expressed their discontent over the absence of prior notification about the lesson, asserting that such notification is mandated by various education laws, which require parental involvement in their children's education [1].          

This incident has thrust into the spotlight the ongoing legal debate concerning parental control over children's education, a contentious matter not only at the state level in Florida but also with federal implications [2]. Florida recently enacted HB 1557, a controversial bill that introduces penalties for teaching or discussing restricted topics related to sex and gender identity in schools, thereby reflecting the state's stance on education content [1]. Additionally, H.R. 6056, also known as the 'Parents Bill of Rights,' is poised to require schools to furnish parents with more comprehensive notices regarding lesson plans and afford them greater influence in curriculum decisions, signaling federal-level legal deliberations on parental rights in education [3].

Tallahassee Classical School, in its official statement, asserted that certain parents opt for charter schools precisely to exert greater control over classroom activities and curricula, implying that this legal facet of educational autonomy aligns with their ethos [1]. Principal Carrasquilla's resignation amid this legal tempest underscores the schism between her values and those of the institution [1].

Significantly, this debate spotlights the age-old legal debate juxtaposing the appreciation of art in its original form against societal prudishness [3]. Michelangelo's David enjoys worldwide acclaim as a Renaissance masterpiece [1]. Cecilie Hollberg, the director of the Galleria dell'Accademia, invited all involved parties to experience firsthand the sculpture's cultural and artistic significance, thereby affirming its legal status as a work of art rather than pornography [2].           

The incident serves as a poignant reminder of historical reactions to nudity in art, encouraging a legal review of whether modern society remains influenced by Victorian-era prudishness.        

Furthermore, many legal scholars argue that societal taboos surrounding nudity can precipitate broader legal consequences, potentially infringing on First Amendment rights while impeding scientific and educational endeavors. Such consequences may include perpetuating body shame, hindering the acquisition of knowledge about human anatomy, and inhibiting discussions on safe sex practices [1].

The discussion surrounding the Tallahassee Classical School's exposure of 6th graders to Michelangelo's David underscores a complex legal debate regarding parental control, educational autonomy, and the preservation of art and culture [3]. While some parents maintained that the lesson transgressed the bounds of legal appropriateness for minors, others defended it as an essential educational experience [1].

As society confronts these intricate legal questions, it becomes imperative to strike a legal balance between safeguarding parental rights and upholding the educational and cultural value of art [2]. The disagreement serves as a clarion call for legal discourse and understanding between parents, educators, and lawmakers, who must navigate the legal tightrope between protecting children and facilitating their intellectual and cultural development within the bounds of the law [3].         

In essence, the Michelangelo's David controversy serves as an illuminating case study within the realm of education law and cultural preservation, offering legal scholars and policymakers an opportunity to explore and clarify the ever-evolving landscape of parental rights, art education, and legal prudishness in the 21st century.

______________________________________________________________

[1] Akers, Torey. “Florida School Principal Fired for Showing Students Michelangelo’s ‘pornographic’ David Sculpture.” The Art Newspaper - International Art News and Events, 23 Mar. 2023, www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/03/23/florida-principal-fired-michelangelo-david-pornographic.

[2] Kim, Juliana. “A Florida Principal Who Was Fired after Showing Students ‘david’ Is Welcomed in Italy.” NPR, 1 May 2023, www.npr.org/2023/05/01/1173017248/florida-principal-david-michelangelo-visit-italy.

[3] Rice, Lynette. “‘the Simpsons’ Credited for Predicting Fate of Florida Principal Who Was Forced out by Parents Angered by Michelangelo’s ‘David.’” Deadline, 25 Mar. 2023, deadline.com/2023/03/florida-parents-michelangelo-david-statue-the-simpsons-1235309907/.

[cavenewstimes]

Who gets to curate ‘David’? In Italy, the culture wars get a nationalist edge.

FLORENCE — Amid throngs of jostling tourists, the first foreign director of the Gallery of the Academy of Florence pointed out the masterworks that pop against the rich blue on the walls. “When I got here, it was sad,” said Cecilie Hollberg. “We changed the paint, the lighting. Now you can really see them.” She then strode toward the great hall holding Michelangelo’s “David” before addressing the…

[blogynewz]

"Unveiling Italy's Bold Museum Revolution: A Patriotic Twist in the Right-Wing Government's Masterstroke!"

Florence’s Gallery of the Academy, under the leadership of Cecilie Hollberg, has undergone significant renovations in recent years. The changes, including new paint and improved lighting, have allowed visitors to truly appreciate the masterpieces displayed within the museum. However, amidst the success, concerns have emerged regarding the future of foreign directors in Italian cultural…

[blogynewsz]

"Unveiling Italy's Bold Museum Revolution: A Patriotic Twist in the Right-Wing Government's Masterstroke!"

Florence’s Gallery of the Academy, under the leadership of Cecilie Hollberg, has undergone significant renovations in recent years. The changes, including new paint and improved lighting, have allowed visitors to truly appreciate the masterpieces displayed within the museum. However, amidst the success, concerns have emerged regarding the future of foreign directors in Italian cultural…

[lejournaldupeintre]

The Florida principal fired for allowing a lesson on Michelangelo’s ‘David’ went to Italy to see the sculpture herself

Hope Carrasquilla (right) was invited to the Accademia Gallery by its director Cecilie Hollberg. Photo courtesy of Accademia Gallery. The former Tallahassee principal who was forced to resign following parental outrage over sixth-grade students being shown images of Michelangelo’s David in art class has visited the Renaissance masterpiece herself. Her verdict? She’s impressed. Hope Carrasquilla…

[indianhour]

Principal Fired In Flap Over David Statue Sees It In Person

ROME (AP) — A former Florida school principal who was forced to resign after students were shown an image of Michelangelo’s iconic statue of a nude David viewed the masterpiece in person on Friday in Florence. Cecilie Hollberg, who directs the Accademia Gallery in Florence, where the David is the star attraction, said that Hope Carrasquilla, her husband and two children, came straight to the…

[italiaefriends]

''Le sculture di David a Firenze tra Storia e simbolo'' marzo 2023"

Eventi e momenti della Città delle Arti per antonomasia……. Giovedì 30 marzo 2023 al Teatro Niccolini di Firenze la presentazione del progetto ‘Le sculture di David a Firenze tra Storia e simbolo’, alla presenza di Cecilie Hollberg Direttore della Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, Paola D’Agostino Direttore dei Musei del Bargello, Carlo Sisi Presidente Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze,…

[italianartsociety]

Living in a Material World: Brocade Fabrics in Quattrocento Florentine Art

During the middle ages Florence was traditionally associated with the textile industry. A prolific producer of various grades of woollen cloth (products ranged from the luxurious San Martino fabric, through the mid-range Panni di Garbo and onto Rascia, a rough unrefined woollen cloth) the city’s silk industry did not fully emerge until the quattrocento. Around halfway through the fifteenth century, the silk industry experienced a huge boom and luxury fabrics were being produced at unprecedented rates. 

Despite the city’s various sumptuary laws, which at times forbade or limited the wearing and ownership of luxury fabrics, gold brocade made its way into the wardrobes of those who could afford it, into churches and royal courts.  Furthermore, renderings of these silk and velvet fabrics, which, in reality, were lavishly woven through with metallic threads and also often heavily embroidered, made their way into coeval Florentine art. 

Some of the paintings produced celebrated the great and good of Florence: its patricians and its merchant princes, others extolled the beauty and virtue of its noble females and even more honoured religious icons or recorded reverent events.  

References: Rembrandt Duits, “Figured Riches: The Value of Gold Brocades in Fifteenth-Century Florentine Painting.” In Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, Vol. 62 (1999), pp. 60-92. 

Richard A. Goldthwaite, The Economy of Renaissance Florence, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009.

Cecilie Hollberg, Textiles and Wealth in 14th Century Florence: Wool, Silk, Painting. Exhibition Catalogue: Galleria Dell'Accademia  (05.12.2017-18.03.2018), Florence: Giunti 2017. 

Maureen Fennell Mazzaoui, The Italian Cotton Industry in the Later Middle Ages, 1100-1600,  London: Cambridge University Press, 1981.

Images: Benozzo Gozzoli, Procession of the Youngest King (detail), 1459-60, fresco, Chapel, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence. Web Gallery of Art. 

Domenico Ghirlandaio, Visitation (detail), 1486-90, fresco, Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence. Web Gallery of Art. 

Benozzo Gozzoli, Procession of the Youngest King (detail), 1459-60, fresco, Chapel, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence. Web Gallery of Art.

Domenico Ghirlandaio, Portrait of Giovanna Tornabuoni, 1488, tempera on wood, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid. Web Gallery of Art.

Domenico Ghirlandaio, Birth of Mary (detail), 1486-90, fresco, Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence. Web Gallery of Art.

Fra Angelico, St Michael, 1423-24, tempera on wood, Private collection. Web Gallery of Art. 

Gentile da Fabriano, Adoration of the Magi, 1423, tempera on wood, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence. Web Gallery of Art. 

Benozzo Gozzoli, Procession of the Middle King (detail), 1459-60, fresco, Chapel, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence. Web Gallery of Art. 

Posted by Samantha Hughes-Johnson.

[michelangelob]

Il David in palestra allenato dai Prigioni: non è cosa accettabile. Ecco cosa ne pensiamo io e Forcellino

Il David in palestra allenato dai Prigioni: non è cosa accettabile. Ecco cosa ne pensiamo io e Forcellino

Lo sapete che zitto non mi riesce proprio stare e non posso non dire la mia anche questa volta. Di cosa sto parlando? Ebbene, da lunedì mattina sarà disponibile un nuovo video animato realizzato da un’idea di Cecilie Hollberg, direttrice della Galleria dell’Accademia. In questo video il David verrà allenato dai Prigioni per mantenersi sempre in forma. Ecco cosa si legge nel comunicato stampa: ”…

[storiearcheostorie]

ARTE / Firenze, un crocifisso dipinto del Trecento è il nuovo gioiello della Galleria dell'Accademia

#ARTE / #Firenze, un crocifisso dipinto del #Trecento è il nuovo gioiello della Galleria dell'Accademia Per saperne di più:

La direttrice Cecilie Hollberg e l’antiquario Fabrizio Moretti durante la conferenza stampa di presentazione (Foto di Guido Cozzi) Una nuova opera entra a far parte delle collezioni della Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. Presso l’ultima Biennale Internazionale dell’Antiquariato BIAF, che si è tenuta a Palazzo Corsini nel 2022, il museo ha acquisito un crocifisso dipinto risalente al primo…

[personal-reporter]

Una mostra su Michelangelo a Firenze

Una mostra su Michelangelo a Firenze

Presso la Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze fino al 19 giugno è da non perdere la mostra Michelangelo: l’effigie in bronzo di Daniele da Volterra, a cura di Cecilie Hollberg, che parte da un discorso di quesiti ancora aperti per arrivare a soluzioni nuove grazie a metodi innovativi. È la prima volta che vengono riuniti in una mostra nove busti simili, alcuni apparentemente quasi uguali, che…

[cavenewstimes]

Director of Florence’s Galleria dell’Accademia Fears Italy’s Rightist Government Will Revoke The Museum’s Independence (Again)

By COLLEEN BARRY Published [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]   MILAN (AP) — The German director of Florence’s Galleria dell’Accademia has succeeded in drawing visitors’ attention to masterpieces beyond Michelangelo’s towering David, while winning landmark court cases to protect the marble masterpiece’s familiar image against misuse. But even as Cecilie Hollberg…

[twistofitalian]

Should Michelangelo's David be moved to an earthquake proof location?

Should Michelangelo’s David be moved to an earthquake proof location?

Let’s ask the director of The Accademia, Cecilie Hollberg, where the statue stands today.  The following is an interview conducted by Helen Farrell of The Florentine: Cecilie Hollberg | Ph. Leo Cardini Helen Farrell: Earlier this year, an architect from Padua made the international headlines with an idea to move the David to an earthquake-proof museum. At what stage is the Accademia in the…