Defaced Holocaust mural finds new home in Rome’s Shoah Museum
The Shoah Museum in Rome has made headlines after acquiring a piece by renowned contemporary pop artist aleXsandro Palombo, which was defaced in an apparent act of antisemitism. The mural in question depicted Liliana Segre and Sami Modiano, the last two Italian survivors of Auschwitz, wearing striped clothing and green bullet-proof vests adorned with yellow Stars of David. The vandals targeted Segre and Modiano’s faces, as well as the stars on their chests, but left the numbers tattooed on their arms untouched.
In response to the vandalism, Palombo reproduced the piece, and it is now part of the museum’s permanent collection. The artist emphasized that art is the highest expression of freedom and condemned the attacks on the mural as a threat to democracy and freedom. He praised the Shoah Museum of Rome and the Italian Jewish community for their courage in standing up to antisemitic violence.
This is not the first time Palombo’s works honoring the Holocaust have been targeted by vandals. Another piece, titled “Arbeit macht frei,” featuring Holocaust survivor Edith Bruck wrapped in an Israeli flag, was also defaced. The phrase “Arbeit macht frei,” which translates to “work makes you free,” is the same slogan the Nazis used at Auschwitz.
Despite the vandalism, the Shoah Museum in Rome has acquired the mural of Edith Bruck as well. Bruck herself commented on the incident, expressing sadness but not surprise at the antisemitic act, labeling antisemitism as a “tsunami” that continues to plague society.
Additionally, a piece by Palombo titled “Halt! Stoj!” depicting Segre, Modiano, Bruck, and Pope Francis was also defaced. While the image of the pope remained untouched, the Stars of David on the Holocaust survivors were targeted by vandals. The mural highlighted the pervasive nature of antisemitism, with a sign reading “antisemitism is everywhere.”
Palombo, known for incorporating pop culture references into his artwork, including celebrities and cartoon characters, has been a vocal advocate against antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. His iconic piece “Simpsons deported to Auschwitz,” which depicts the Simpson family before and after the concentration camp, serves as a stark reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.
Despite facing backlash and vandalism, Palombo remains dedicated to using his art as a form of activism and resistance against hatred and bigotry. The Shoah Museum’s acquisition of his defaced pieces underscores the importance of preserving and commemorating the memory of Holocaust survivors and educating future generations about the atrocities of the past.
