Italian public broadcaster Rai is currently under fire for its altered version of Leonardo da Vinci's classic drawing of the Vitruvian Man, used in an Olympic promotional video. The edited artwork reportedly omits male genitalia, sparking outrage from viewers and critics alike. According to reports from Reuters and local culture publication Corriere della Sera, this modification has not only surprised audiences but also received harsh criticism from political opposition, who argue that such a renown piece from the Italian Renaissance should not be altered in any way.

Rai has defended its actions by stating that the content in question was directly sourced from Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), affiliated with the International Olympic Committee. In their defense, Rai commented that as a broadcaster, it does not have the authority to modify the materials provided to them. This has led to discussions about the responsibility of broadcasters when it comes to historical artworks and how they choose to represent them in media, especially in light of contemporary social discussions about gender.

Furthermore, the incident raises broader cultural questions about the interpretation and representation of iconic artworks in modern contexts. The intention behind the alteration, according to OBS, was to honor the piece rather than to provide an accurate reproduction. However, the backlash suggests that the public sentiment is still deeply attached to the original meaning and context of Da Vinci's work, prompting a necessary dialogue about art censorship and its implications in today’s media landscape.