Praying statue of Hitler shakes Dutch art scene

A life like statue of Adolf Hitler kneeling in prayer opened a wave of criticism in the Netherlands, a day before the Italian piece goes on exhibit in a city once destroyed by Nazi bombs. The sculpture ‘‘him’’ by Maurizio Cattelan will go on display at the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam today and can be viewed by the public until November 3.

Rotterdam’s official for culture, Alderman Stefanhulman, was upset when he heard about the exhibit and phoned the director to complain, said city spokeswoman Josien Gorkink. ‘‘He finds it tasteless to confront people with their war past in a city like Rotterdam where it could be upsetting to some people,’’ Gorkink said. Rotterdam was flattened by German bombing during WW II and had to be rebuilt.

It won’t be the first time Cattelan’s work has shocked the public. The ‘‘La Nona Ora’’ (the ninth hour), a sculpture of pope John Paul II crumpled under a black meteorite, was harshly debated before being sold at Christie’s last year.

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The statue of Adolf Hitler stands just a meter high and is made of polyester, resin and finished with wax.

In a strikingly realistic portrayal, the Nazi leader is seen with his hands clasped at his waist and his eyes looking up. The statue stands alone in a vast gallery hall.