The project for the restoration and safeguarding of the iconic work will be presented at the ministry later Wednesday.

“Venice is unique in the world ... and also a privileged place for contemporary art, a detail that Banksy understood well by placing there one of only two murals done in Italy,” said Veneto Governor Luca Zaia ahead of the presentation.

He said he had agreed with Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and Culture Undersecretary Vittorio Sgarbi on “making this iconic work, subject to damage and deterioration, a permanent one”.

ANSA