Venus of the Rags (Italian: Venere degli stracci) is a mixed media sculpture by Michelangelo Pistoletto.[1] The piece is intended as a critique of contemporary consumerism.[1]
The work consists of a statue of the Roman Goddess Venus next to a pile of rags.[1]
In 2023 a giant version of the work was installed in the Piazza del Municipio in Naples in June 2023.[2] It was destroyed by suspected arson two weeks after its installation.[2] Pistoletto said that his first reaction to the destruction of the piece was " ... a strong control of emotion because reason must always win for me". He plans to recreate the work and crowdsourcing funding has begun.[2] The Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi said that " ... the work will be redone. Violence and vandalism will not stop art, regeneration and culture in Naples".[2]