A 17th-century masterpiece at Florence’s renowned Uffizi Galleries suffered minor damage Saturday after a visitor stumbled backward into the artwork while posing for a photograph, per cnn.com. The incident, captured on security camera footage, involved a portrait of Tuscan prince Ferdinando de’ Medici, painted by Anton Domenico Gabbiani between 1695 and 1700.
The unidentified visitor was reportedly leaning back for a photo when he made contact with the oil painting, causing a small tear near the nobleman’s ankle. Local media published images of the damage. The Uffizi Galleries confirmed the “light” damage and stated the painting has been removed for repair but will soon return to display. Authorities have been notified of the incident.
Uffizi Galleries Director Simone Verde condemned the growing trend of visitors prioritising social media content over respect for cultural heritage. “We will set very precise limits, preventing behaviour that are not compatible with the sense of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage,” Verde stated, highlighting the increasing problem of museum-goers accidentally damaging exhibits in pursuit of the “perfect” photo. This incident follows similar recent occurrences, including damage to a crystal-covered chair in Verona and a Mark Rothko painting in a Dutch museum, both linked to visitor photography.
•Featured image: The portrait of Ferdinando de’ Medici (centre) was damaged by a visitor to the Uffizi Galleries/Uffizi
