For a city known for its Renaissance paintings that feature plenty of women wearing little clothing in a continent that seems to wonder why many Americans fear nudity, it may come as a shock to many that Venice, Italy has banned the above Bulgari ad, starring actress Julianne Moore from its scheduled billboard duties.

“An advertisement showing a nude woman on a divan is not appropriate for St Mark’s Square,” Mayor Giorgio Orsoni said.

While Moore may not have clothes on, the smiling, playful lion cubs seem to diffuse the expected sexual charge of the photo. That, of course, wasn’t enough for the folks who oversee what is posted around their city…

“I take account of the fact that Venice is part of the real word…but we cannot accept these Hollywood-style images. There are intelligent sponsors, and we need to come up with advertising that suits Venice, not Times Square,” President of the Venice Foundation added.

Bulgari will post an ad of a fully-clothed Moore modeling the jewels instead.

Do you find the ad too inappropriate for Venice?