description La Nona Ora Overview
La Nona Ora ("The Ninth Hour") is a 1999 installation artwork by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan depicting Pope John Paul II struck down by a meteorite. Created using wax, resin, fabric, and a genuine meteorite, the life-sized figure lies on a red carpet surrounded by shattered glass. The work was first exhibited at the Kunsthalle Basel and later at the Royal Academy in London, where it was famously damaged when a man pulled off the Pope's head, an act Cattelan welcomed as adding to the work's history.
help La Nona Ora FAQ
What does Maurizio Cattelan's "La Nona Ora" depict?
"La Nona Ora" (The Ninth Hour) is a highly controversial hyperrealistic sculpture by Maurizio Cattelan. It depicts Pope John Paul II struck down by a massive meteorite while wearing his traditional papal vestments.
When was "La Nona Ora" first created?
Maurizio Cattelan created this provocative artwork in 1999. It was then widely exhibited for the first time around the year 2000.
How is "La Nona Ora" displayed in galleries?
The installation is famous for its physical staging, where the lifelike figure of the Pope is laid out on a red carpet. The shattered meteorite rests directly on top of him, forcing viewers to look down at the scene.
How was "La Nona Ora" received by the public?
The artwork generated immense controversy due to its irreverent depiction of a beloved religious leader being crushed. It sparked intense debates about blasphemy, art, and cultural sensitivity, which became a hallmark of Cattelan's career.
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