A mural recently commissioned by the the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles has been whitewashed.

The Italian street artist known as Blu painted an image of military style coffins draped in giant dollar bills for an upcoming exhibition.

With a Veterans Affairs building and a war memorial nearby, MOCA director Jeffrey Deitch decided that the mural was "inappropriate" for the space and had it covered up.

As a gallerist Deitch was known to promote so-called protest art, but in his new role at the museum he has other priorities. "This is 100% about my effort to be a good, responsible, respectful neighbor in this historic community," Deitch told the Los Angeles Times.

Critics suggest the museum's move was censorship.