New 9/11 mural tribute unveiled

One of New York’s Bravest will tower over New York for Tuesday’s 17th anniversary of the city’s darkest day.

The image of Firefighter Mike Bellantoni, overcome with exhaustion and despair by the horrors of the Twin Towers attack on 9/11 now has been painted over eight-stories on East 49th Street near Third Avenue.

The sprawling mural by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra is based on a shot captured by award-winning Post freelance photographer Matthew McDermott. In the stirring image, Bellantoni is down on one knee, his head bowed as he leans on his ax.

“I think this image managed to transmit all of this feeling, because of the position he was in. The lament, the feeling that the firefighter demonstrated,” Kobra told The Post.

“He was fighting for something very difficult.”

Admirers on Sunday stopped to snap photos of the hulking work — including two EMTs who hopped from an ambulance to take a shot.

“It moves them more than the general public because they wear the uniform,” said McDermott, who was on assignment for The Post on 9/11.

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