Antonello da Messina’s Ecce Homo to be loaned to Rimini Meeting

Antonello da Messina’s masterpiece, ‘Ecce Homo’, is being temporarily transferred from the Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo (MuNDA) in L'Aquila to the Rimini Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples. The artwork, which was recently acquired by the Italian state for $15 million, will be away from its permanent collection from August 20 to August 26.

The transfer to the event organized by the Catholic association Comunione e Liberazione has drawn criticism from local political figures in L'Aquila. Opponents, including representatives from Sinistra Italiana, have described the move as an ‘act of maximum arrogance’ or institutional inattention. They argue that removing such a prestigious work during the Perdonanza Celestiniana—a major UNESCO-recognized event in the city—undermines L'Aquila's cultural significance, especially as the city prepares to serve as the Italian Capital of Culture in 2026.