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The arts have been under attack by religious extremists for centuries, and Michelangelo was one of the most influential artists to experience this. A sculptor, architect, painter, and poet of the Italian Renaissance period, Michelangelo's work has often been tied to religion. His best-known works include the Sistine Chapel ceiling frescos in Rome and his marble sculpture of the biblical figure David.
While much of Michelangelo's work was commissioned by the Catholic Church, his art has been targeted by religious extremists in the US in recent years who view it as indecent. Even the issue regarding his sexuality has been used to disparage his work or is denied altogether. Michelangelo was known to have focused on the natural beauty of male anatomy, and the same extremist groups in the US have been targeting the LGBTQ community and attacking art, literature, and creative works that don't align with their views, like Michelangelo's sculpture of David.
In this piece, "Michelangelo's Revenge," a nude sculpture has come to life and is shaking his fist over the Arno in Florence. While nude statues are not unusual to see in Italy, they are still condemned by bigots who consider them blasphemous. This statue symbolizes the spirit of artists everywhere and a refusal to allow religious extremists to silence creatives or erase humanity's appreciation for art.