Laszlo Toth (vandal)

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Laszlo Toth (b.1940), is an Hungarian-born Australian geologist who vandalised Michelangelo's Pietà statue on May 21, 1972.

Wielding a hammer and shouting, "I am Jesus Christ - risen from the dead", he removed the Virgin's arm at the elbow, knocked off a chunk of her nose, and chipped one of her eyelids. He was never charged with the crime, in view of his apparent insanity. On January 29, 1973, he was committed to an Italian psychiatric hospital. He was released on on February 9, 1975, and was immediately deported to Australia where he had studied prior to the attack; Australian authorities did not detain him. He is believed to reside in Melbourne, Australia.

Toth is the eponymous inspiration for books of letters by Don Novello.

[edit] References

• Whatever happened to Laszlo Toth, the man who smashed Michelangelo's Pieta in 1972?. Notes and Queries. The Guardian (2006). Retrieved on 2006-06-08.
• The Laszlo Letters (Don Novello interviewed by Bob Garfield). On the Media. WNYC Radio (2003). Retrieved on 2006-06-08.
• Evers, Chia (2006). Laszlo Toth, "Jesus Christ," Attacks the Pieta (May 21, 1972). Today in Odd History. News of the Odd. Retrieved on 2006-06-08.