Italian artist peels back sacred paintings to reveal Gaza’s pain

A painting of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus reveals a different image beneath its surface – a Palestinian mother cradling her child amid the destruction in Gaza.

Italian photojournalist and visual artist Eduardo Castaldo unveiled the artwork, titled ‘Holy Mothers of Gaza No. 20’, at the historic Pappacoda Chapel in Naples, Italy, on November 11.

In a video shared on Instagram, Castaldo is seen peeling back part of the painting to expose a photograph taken by Palestinian photojournalist Omar El Qattaa.

Watch the video here

View this post on Instagram

The artwork draws a connection between the familiar religious image of a mother holding her child and Palestinian women facing the realities of war. It brings the experiences of mothers and children in Gaza into a setting traditionally associated with religious devotion.

“The tear of the icon becomes an act of necessary sorrow; it is the wound that heals, unites, and moves us to compassion,” Castaldo was quoted as saying by New York-based publication UP Magazine.

The installation is part of the artist’s wider ‘Holy Mothers of Gaza’ project, which brings photographs from Gaza into churches and historic streets across Naples. Castaldo has described the city as ‘anti-Zionist’.

In August, he shared four earlier works from the series on Instagram, featuring photographs taken in Gaza by Palestinian photographer Belal Khaled. He announced a limited collector’s edition of the artworks, with proceeds from sales to be shared with Khaled.

View this post on Instagram

Who is Eduardo Castaldo?

Castaldo is a Naples-based photojournalist and visual artist who previously worked in the Middle East. His work combines documentary photography with religious imagery and public art.

He received third prize in the Spot News category at the 2012 World Press Photo contest for his photo story ‘Dawn of a Revolution’, documenting the Egyptian uprising against then-president Hosni Mubarak.

Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS.