Signor Domenico Lombardi, the Mayor of Pietrasanta [Province of Lucca, Tuscany] is embarrassed, the local priest is offended and members of World War II Resistance organisations are both upset and angry.

The reason is a poster advertising the Giuseppe Veneziano exhibition “Zeitgeist” which will run in the town from 17th July – 22nd August. The poster, by Veneziano, depicts a Madonna holding a child with the face of Hitler and a swastika armband. The work caused controversy last year at Art Verona 2009.

The Mayor has apologised for approving the poster, saying that he did not actually see it prior to its appearance in the town. He was careful to point out that the invitation to Veneziano was issued by the previous administration but says that Pietrasanta has always preferred engagement to censorship when it comes to art.

Veneziano himself, quoting the late poet Alda Merini, says, “The least scandalous thing in life is scandal. Provocation is a more complex matter. If art does not provoke, what is it for?”

Parish priest don Stefano D’Atri says that the image is offensive both to believers and to people who suffered under Nazism. He argues that it is not appropriate to “hide” behind the question of the nature of art or the censorship debate.

Do you think the image is offensive?