MILAN. The restoration of a Roman mosaic in Piazza Affari has sparked a row between Italian and British conservators, with the latter viewing the work with 'professional disdain.' The mosaic, a bull symbolising the city's financial district, was cleaned and re-grouted by local restorers last week.
But critics say the new grout is too dark, obscuring the original tesserae and altering the character of the ancient piece. 'It looks like a cheap copy, not a restoration,' said Dr. Helen Carter, a UK-based archaeologist.
'The contrast between the white marble and dark filler is jarring. It's amateurish.' Milanese residents have taken to social media to express their disappointment.
'They've ruined the bull,' one tweeted. 'It's now a cartoon.' The restoration was carried out by the comune's cultural office, which declined to comment.
But sources suggest the work was done on a tight budget, with little oversight. This is the latest in a string of controversial restorations in Italy, following the botched cleaning of the Sistine Chapel and the repainting of a medieval crucifix in Florence. 'There's a culture of cutting corners,' said Carter.
'They rely on local craftsmen who don't have the expertise. It's a disgrace.' The bull mosaic, dating from the 1st century AD, is a popular tourist attraction.
Its restoration has now become a cause célèbre for conservators who argue that Italy's cultural heritage is being permanently damaged. 'This is a warning to the world,' said Carter. 'If Italy can't protect its treasures, what hope is there?
