'Pornographic' Michelangelo Statue Viewing Ousts FL School Principal

TALLAHASSEE, FL — The principal of a Florida school has resigned after parents complained their children were shown a "pornographic" 16th-century sculpture by the artist Michelangelo, according to multiple reports.

Hope Carrasquilla, the former principal of Tallahassee Classical School, was allowed to resign or be fired after three parents complained their children were allowed to view Michelangelo's "David" sculpture, the Tallahassee Democrat first reported.

At least one parent called the Renaissance-era sculpture "pornographic," according to the Democrat.

The Tallahassee Classical School is a public charter school governed by a nonprofit board of trustees. According to the school's website, its mission is "training the minds and improving the hearts of young people through a content-rich classical education in the liberal arts and sciences, with instruction in the principles of moral character and civic virtue."

The 14-foot-tall marble statue of David was created between 1501 and 1504 and is considered a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. The sculpture depicts the Biblical figure David, represented as a standing nude male. Initially commissioned by the Opera del Duomo for the Cathedral of Florence, the statue now resides in the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence.

Michelangelo is also known for painting the fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which took him four years to finish.

In an interview with HuffPost, Carrasquilla said school policy was to send letters to parents before students view classical artwork. In this case, Carrasquilla said due to a "series of miscommunications," the letter was not sent to sixth-grade parents.

According to the Democrat, the school's board of trustees decided Monday to give Carrasquilla the option to resign or be fired.

Carrasquilla was the school's third principal since it opened in 2020, according to the Democrat.

Tallahassee Classical School did not immediately return Patch's request for comment.

In a call with HuffPost, board chair Barney Bishop said the nude sculpture incident was one of "multiple issues" with Carrasquilla.

Bishop also told HuffPost he lobbies for legislation that gives parents more input in education.

"Parental rights trump everything else," Bishop said. "They didn't like the woke indoctrination that was going on."