It caused a stir among Italians when a US principal was dismissed for displaying a picture of Michelangelo’s revered sculpture David to students following complaints from parents who deemed it inappropriate. Hope Carrasquilla was let go from her position at Tallahassee Classical School in Florida after three parents raised concerns about the content of an art lesson she conducted.
The lesson focused on Renaissance art, showcasing renowned pieces like “David,” “Creation of Adam” fresco painting, and “Birth of Venus,” all of which depict nude figures. Carrasquilla was given an ultimatum by the school’s board chair, Barney Bishop, to resign voluntarily or face termination.
The decision to remove the principal over the art lesson sparked astonishment and anger in Italy, where the iconic Michelangelo’s David is housed. Dario Nardella, the Mayor of Florence, where the statue resides, labeled the incident as “ridiculous” in a tweet, emphasizing the importance of art education and condemning the confusion between art and obscenity.
In response to the uproar, Carrasquilla expressed gratitude for the invitations she received from Italy, considering a visit to Florence to meet the Mayor. She acknowledged the significance of the David sculpture and the cultural value it represents.
Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Galleria dell’Accademia, where the David is exhibited, expressed disbelief at the controversy, emphasizing that considering such art as pornographic signifies a lack of understanding of biblical themes, Western culture, and Renaissance art.
In the wake of the incident, the school board introduced a new policy mandating that parents be notified two weeks in advance of any potentially contentious educational material. Some parents expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the school and the turnover of teachers.
Barney Bishop defended the board’s decision to dismiss Carrasquilla, citing parental rights to be informed about controversial topics taught to their children. He declined to provide further details about the dismissal, standing by the board’s stance on the matter.
