Milan Restores €30,000 Bull Mosaic as 19th-Century Luck Ritual Again Draws Backlash
Updated
Updated · artnet News · Jun 1
Milan Restores €30,000 Bull Mosaic as 19th-Century Luck Ritual Again Draws Backlash
4 articles · Updated · artnet News · Jun 1
May 27-30 repairs in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II rebuilt the worn bull mosaic after thousands of tourists again ground a crater into it by spinning three times for luck.
Restorer Gianluca Galli dug about 1 inch into the floor and remade the damaged section with hand-cut stone, using epoxy resin instead of traditional lime-and-sand mortar to improve durability.
€30,000 in restoration costs quickly became a flashpoint after councillor Marco Granelli praised the work online, with critics attacking the tile colors, messy joints and the bull’s altered anatomy.
Built between 1865 and 1877, the arcade’s floor includes Turin’s bull emblem, and the recurring repairs show how Italy’s heavily used historic landmarks can trigger fresh disputes over conservation choices.
Milan's famous bull was 'neutered' in a repair. Was it a clumsy mistake or a clever plan to protect it?
As tourists wear down historic landmarks, who decides which parts of culture get preserved?
When popular rituals destroy priceless art, must traditions be sacrificed for preservation?