Axed Balenciaga ad included book by artist who painted castrated children

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Balenciaga has come under fire after a scrapped ad campaign included an image which featured a book by a Belgian artist whose earlier work include depictions of castrated children. Reminiscent of cherubs in Renaissance paintings, the toddlers appear as allegories of the human condition, their archetypal innocence contrasted with their suggested deviousness.” According to the New York Post, in the same ad, a $3,000 handbag from Balenciaga and Adidas can be seen next to documents from the 2008 Supreme Court case US v Williams, in which the court ruled that sharing child pornography is illegal and not covered under the First Amendment. “The two separate ad campaigns in question reflect a series of grievous errors for which Balenciaga takes responsibility.” “The first campaign, the gift collection campaign, featured children with plush bear bags dressed in what some have labelled BDMS-inspired outfits. Concerning the Supreme Court documents, the company said that “all the items included in this shooting were provided by third parties that confirmed in writing that these props were fake office documents”.