Slovak Culture Ministry Official Opens Exhibition of Renaissance Bust He Previously Attempted to Remove

Lukáš Machala, general secretary of the Culture Ministry's service office, opened an exhibition featuring a Renaissance bust of Cecilia Gonzaga at the Historical Town Hall in Levoča. The same official had drawn national attention nearly a year ago when he attempted to remove the 15th-century artwork from the Spiš Museum's collection. Visitors at Thursday's opening ceremony made pointed comments about the irony of the situation, with one remarking that it was fortunate the bust was not authentic, "otherwise they would never return it to us." The marble bust, which depicts an Italian Renaissance noblewoman, is considered one of the most valuable pieces in the Spiš Museum's collection and has been the subject of controversy regarding cultural heritage protection in Slovakia.