Painted Over

Ever since 1531, when, according to pious belief, the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared miraculously to a humble convert, Mexico has revered her. Her image, which emerged wondrously on the convert's poor cloak as a sign of the authenticity of his vision, is the country's most honored shrine. Last month, for a huge mural on Mexican theatrical history, ex-Communist Artist Diego Rivera solemnly sketched the famed comedian Cantinflas in his trademark-uniform, a shabby coat, and then drew the Virgin on the coat. "Sacrilege!" protested Mexico's devout, while Rivera, ignoring the uproar, diligently filled in the outlines around the figure.

By last week Diego had worked his way to the coat, and he painted right over the sketch of the Virgin as though it had never been there. He had been, as he loves to be, the center of a rousing controversy, punctuated by black, satisfying headlines. The incident was closed.

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