Tourist destroys 300-year-old painting while trying to take a selfie

Time of India

24-06-2025

Source: X
A reckless selfie attempt inside Florence's renowned Uffizi Gallery has once again raised alarms over the growing clash between tourism and cultural preservation. In an incident that sparked widespread outrage, a tourist damaged an 18th-century masterpiece while trying to mimic a royal pose for a photograph—another cautionary tale of how social media antics are putting centuries-old art at risk.
A selfie, a stumble, and a hole in history
The visitor, whose identity has not been publicly released, was exploring the Florence and Europe: Arts of the 18th Century exhibition on Saturday, when he attempted to imitate the pose of Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany, as depicted in a portrait by Anton Domenico Gabbiani. While angling for the perfect selfie, the man lost his balance and stumbled backward, directly into the painting. The impact left a noticeable hole near the prince's right boot.
Museum staff responded swiftly, identifying the culprit and reporting him to local police. The damaged artwork was immediately removed and sent for restoration. Fortunately, experts later confirmed the damage to be relatively minor.The incident occurred in a ground-floor gallery protected by low platforms designed to maintain a safe distance between visitors and the artworks. According to a trade union representing museum workers, the hazard had been flagged before, after another tourist had tripped in the same area without causing damage.
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Director calls for stricter rules as selfie culture spirals
The episode has drawn sharp criticism from Uffizi Gallery director Simone Verde, who condemned the growing trend of visitors prioritizing social media content over cultural respect. Speaking to ANSA, Verde said: "We will establish clear rules to prevent behaviour that is incompatible with the purpose of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage.
"This isn't the first instance of selfies leading to destruction in Italian museums.
In a recent case reported by dpa, two tourists at the Palazzo Maffei in Verona destroyed a Swarovski-crystal-covered 'Van Gogh chair' by artist Nicola Bolla after sitting on the artwork to take photos—an act clearly captured by surveillance cameras.
Source: X
About the painting
The damaged artwork, Portrait of Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany, was painted by Anton Domenico Gabbiani between 1695 and 1700. Ferdinando de' Medici (1663–1713) was the eldest son of Cosimo III de' Medici and a key patron of the arts during his lifetime, especially renowned for his support of music and innovation.
He played a pivotal role in fostering Florence's artistic reputation and famously backed Bartolomeo Cristofori, the inventor of the piano.
Gabbiani's portrait presents Ferdinando in a dignified, regal pose—a hallmark of dynastic portraiture meant to emphasize the wealth, elegance, and political stature of the Medici lineage. The artist's style, marked by rich color palettes and dramatic composition, was deeply influenced by a 1699 trip to Venice—a journey encouraged and funded by Ferdinando himself to help the painter refine his technique.
Though the painting is part of the Pitti Palace's permanent collection, it was temporarily loaned to the Uffizi Galleries as part of the exhibition Florence and Europe: Arts of the 18th Century, which runs from May 28 to November 28, 2025. The exhibit marks the first major display curated under the Uffizi's new director, Simone Verde.