Gallery visitor damaged painting while posing for a photo (2 photos + 1 video)

In Florence, a gallery visitor lost his footing and damaged a painting by Italian artist Anton Domenico Gabbiani from 1712.





The incident occurred in the Uffizi Gallery during the exhibition "Europe: Art of the 18th Century", where Antonio Domenico Gabbiani's painting of Ferdinando de' Medici, the Grand Prince of Tuscany, was on display. The tourist, posing for a photo next to the canvas, decided to imitate the pose of the painted aristocrat, but lost his balance and fell.

As a result, a small hole appeared on the canvas - just at the level of the prince's right boot. According to preliminary expert estimates, the damage is not critical, but the painting had to be sent for restoration.



Witnesses claim that before the fall, the tourist was standing on a low platform designed to allow viewers to better examine the exhibits while keeping a distance. The incident was recorded by surveillance cameras, after which the culprit was identified and brought to justice.

Gallery director Simone Verde condemned such behavior by visitors, noting that tourists increasingly come to museums for selfies, ignoring the importance of cultural heritage.

"We must set clear boundaries on behavior that is incompatible with respect for our institutions," he said.

The victim may face criminal liability and be required to pay damages for the restoration of the work of art.

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