One Of The World's Most Controversial Paintings Finds A Home In NYC

Hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen has reportedly donated one of the more controversial artworks historically shown in New York City to MoMA’s permanent collection.

Ruckus ensued in October 1999 when the Brooklyn Museum exhibited The Holy Virgin Mary (1996). Chris Ofili’s magnificent—and shall we say, ‘multimedia’—rendering of a black Madonna with paint, fecal matter, and pornographic collages provoked a crusade for censorship helmed by then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who called the artwork “sick”; and an irate Donald Trump, who referred to it as “absolutely gross, degenerate stuff.”

Giuliani subsequently embarked on a quest to sever the Brooklyn Museum’s funding, as the building is city-owned. “You don’t have a right to government subsidy for desecrating somebody else’s religion,” the former mayor said, having never seen the artwork in person. The Brooklyn Museum sued Giuliani for attempting to violate their First Amendment rights, though both parties eventually dropped their respective campaigns against one another.

The Holy Virgin Mary was put on view in Brooklyn as part of an exhibition showcasing Charles Saatchi’s collection of works by Young British Artists titled Sensation. It immediately became the principle target of religious groups, and even suffered an attack of vandalism from a 72 year-old man who sprayed the canvas with white paint.

Ofili’s most famous artwork returned to a more welcoming audience at the New Museum’s solo exhibition of his work titled Night and Day in 2014, and the painting was sold at Christie’s London in 2015 for the equivalent of $4.6 million, which remains the artist’s auction record today. In 1998, Ofili won the prestigious Turner Prize, which is presented annually to an exceptional British artist.

“As an altar boy, I was confused by the idea of a holy Virgin Mary giving birth to a young boy,” Ofili said in an interview with The Guardian. “Now when I go to the National Gallery and see paintings of the Virgin Mary, I see how sexually charged they are. Mine is simply a hip-hop version.”

Ironically, MoMA trustee and the painting’s former owner Steve Cohen donated $1 million to President Trump’s inauguration. Now, Ofili’s contentious image, which stirred headline-worthy outrage for its perceived blasphemy, will sit amongst MoMA’s breadth of modern masterpieces back in New York City.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.