A scandal has erupted in Italy over the restoration of a painting in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina in the center of Rome. Following recent work, one of the angels in the painting, located beside the marble bust of the last king of Italy, Umberto II of Savoy, has acquired a face strikingly similar to that of the country's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The Italian Ministry of Culture has responded to the situation surrounding the restoration work in a Roman basilica, reports Corriere della Sera, as noted by Focus.
By order of Minister Alessandro Giuli, special inspector Daniela Porro has instructed technical specialists to conduct an urgent inspection of the painting to determine the nature of the work performed and to assess whether any changes were made compared to the original.
The official statement notes that after the inspection, a comparison with archival materials will follow. The purpose of the check is to ascertain not the resemblance to a specific person, but the compliance of the restoration with the original intent.
The restorer denies resemblance to Meloni
According to reports, the restoration was carried out by Bruno Valentinetti, who calls himself a church caretaker and decorator and works in the basilica as a volunteer. His signature is clearly visible on the scroll held by the angel: Instauratum et exornatum, Bruno Valentinetti AD MMXXV. (Restored and adorned by Bruno Valentinetti in 2025). Valentinetti himself claims that he simply restored the previous image and denies any intentional resemblance to the Prime Minister of Italy.
"Who said it was her? I restored what was there before," he commented.
For their part, the basilica staff also acknowledged that there is indeed a certain resemblance. However, they noted that they had instructed to restore the chapel "exactly as it looked before."
The Vicariate of Rome confirmed that "the change of face was the initiative of the decorator" and was not agreed upon with the competent authorities. According to current regulations, any work on protected sites must be approved in advance by supervisory bodies.
Meanwhile, the Office for the Protection of Cultural Heritage emphasized that if it is proven that the lines of the original have been altered, a decision may be made to restore the previous appearance of the image.
Giorgia Meloni herself reacted with irony, posting a short message on Instagram.
"No, I definitely do not look like an angel," she wrote.
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