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, visited the statue in Florence.
Hope Carrasquilla, her husband and two children, came straight to the museum right after they arrived in the city to meet with Accademia Gallery Art Director Cecilie Hollberg to view the statue that got her fired in real life.
Carrasquilla stepped down as principal of Tallahassee Classical school in the Florida city last month after one parent claimed the towering sculpture was pornographic. Other parents complained they weren’t notified in advance that their children would be shown the nude figure during a lesson featuring the Renaissance.
Carrasquilla also received an award from the City of Florence ‘in the name of art and culture,’ Florence Mayor Dario Nardella revealed.
‘Art is civilization and whoever teaches it deserves respect. Welcome Professor Hope Carrasquilla!’ he wrote.
Hope Carrasquilla (right), her husband and two children, came straight to the museum right after they arrived in the city to meet with Accademia Gallery Art Director Cecilie Hollberg (left) to view the statue that got her fired in real life
Carrasquilla (right) also received an award from the City of Florence ‘in the name of art and culture,’ Florence Mayor Dario Nardella (left) revealed
Hollberg invited the former principal to the gallery as her guest and said it was an ‘immense pleasure’ to show her the statue in real life.
‘I am happy to be able to welcome her and introduce her to the beauties of our museum, besides showing her the David, a sculpture that, I repeat as I have said, has nothing to do with pornography,” Hollberg said in a written statement. ‘It’s a masterpiece, it represents a religious symbol of purity and innocence, the victory of good over evil.’
Hollberg added that the work’s nudity ‘is a clear expression of the Renaissance, which puts man at the center of attention.’
Michelangelo’s marble sculpture depicts the Biblical David, naked, with a sling over his shoulder and a rock in his hand, ready for battle with Goliath.
Hollberg noted that currently more than 50 percent of the gallery visitors come from the United States.
‘I am sure that Mrs. Carrasquilla will find here, in Florence, the welcome and the solidarity that she deserves,” the director added.
Hollberg invited the former principal to the gallery as her guest and said it was an ‘immense pleasure’ to show her the statue in real life
Carrasquilla (pictured with the mayor of Florence) stepped down as principal of Tallahassee Classical school in the Florida city last month after one parent claimed the towering sculpture was pornographic. Other parents complained they weren’t notified in advance that their children would be shown the nude figure during a lesson featuring the Renaissance
David was created between 1501 and 1504, it is widely considered to be the world’s greatest sculpture, but the Tallahassee parents considered it inappropriate because of David’s nudity.
The sculpture was among artworks being studied in a Renaissance art class for students aged 11 and 12.
The parents are now demanding to be given an advanced-vote on any topic or lesson that could be considered ‘controversial.’
‘Parental rights are supreme, and that means protecting the interests of all parents, whether its one, 10, 20 or 50,’ said School Board President Barney Bishop.
He admitted at the time to giving Carrasquilla an ultimatum, telling her she had to either hand in her resignation or would be fired.
Carrasquilla told The Tallahassee Democrat she was ‘saddened’ that her brief tenure at the school came to an end. She was only in the job for a year.
The Florida school is attended by some 400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
School Board President Barney Bishop gave Carrasquilla an ultimatum to either leave her position or be fired. ‘Parental rights are supreme, and that means protecting the interests of all parents, whether its one, 10, 20 or 50,’ he said
The sculpture was among artworks being studied in a Renaissance art class for students aged 11 and 12
