(November 19, 2013) — Fiat Brand North America will bring a splash of color to this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show by commissioning noted Italian artist Nicola Verlato to paint an Italian masterpiece, inspired by one of the most recognized fresco works of the Renaissance era, inside a Fiat 500L.

Verlato will paint his masterpiece, which will pay homage to elements of Michelangelo’s work inside the Sistine Chapel, using the ceiling of the all-new Fiat 500L as his canvas. The artist will work Nov. 20-25 on the showroom floor. The vehicle will be on display for the remainder of the LA Auto Show, which runs through Dec. 1.
 
“The Fiat brand is about immersing oneself in Italian style, design and culture," said Olivier Francois, chief marketing officer, Chrysler Group and head of Fiat Brand Worldwide. "We wanted to play with this concept by taking one of the most far-reaching pieces of old world art and combining it with the iconic new design of the Fiat 500L.”

For those unable to attend the LA Auto Show in person, Verlato’s daily progress can be seen on www.fiatusa.com/en/social/ beginning Nov. 21, which will showcase time-lapsed video from the showroom floor at the end of each day.
 
The red Fiat 500L with a tan/dark gray interior will be specially reconfigured and prepped for the project, including the installation of a special fiberglass ‘ceiling’ (specially coated to absorb paint) replacing the vehicle’s headliner. In addition, the seats have been removed, and a special floor has been created to allow Verlato to move and swivel as he paints on his back, in the style reminiscent of Michelangelo and other artists who worked during the Renaissance era.