Town of Monterchi pays homage to Delon

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 18 - The Tuscan town of Monterchi near Arezzo on Sunday paid homage to French movie icon Alain Delon, who gave worldwide renown to a local Renaissance masterwork by Piero della Francesca, the 'Madonna del Parto', thanks to the 1972 movie Indian Summer (La prima notte di quiete). The tiny hilltop town's beautiful 15th-century fresco suddenly became popular after the film in which Delon, whose death at 88 was announced on Sunday, interpreted a professor who urged to visit the masterpiece, evoking its history and how it was commissioned to Piero della Francesca by the population.
    The film, directed by Valerio Zurlini, also alludes to the fact that the artist is thought to have painted the picture for a tiny countryside chapel shortly after his mother's death in 1459, possibly as a tribute to her, a town native.
    After the film hit movie theatres, Monterchi suddenly became a popular tourist destination, recalled its mayor Alfredo Romanelli.
    "Monterchi is grateful to Delon", he said. (ANSA).