Latest news with #AntonDomenicoGabbiani
The Star
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Tourist taking a selfie damages painting in Italy's Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery management said that the damage to the Baroque-era painting is minor, however, and can be repaired. The painting was immediately removed for restoration. Photo: AP A visitor to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence damaged a priceless oil painting while trying to take a selfie, the museum revealed on Saturday. The unidentified tourist leaned against the Baroque portrait Portrait of Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince Of Tuscany by Anton Domenico Gabbiani to take a photo - until the canvas gave way. Italian broadcaster TG1 posted a video on X, which shows the painting's canvas tearing under the man's weight. The painting is considered one of the highlights of the current exhibition. The man was identified by museum staff and reported to the police. A photo in the local newspaper Corriere Fiorentino shows a tear in the canvas. An unidentified tourist leaned on Anton Domenico Gabbiani's 'Portrait Of Ferdinando de' Medici' for a photo - until the canvas gave way. Photo: YouTube/Screenshot The museum management said that the damage is minor, however, and can be repaired. The painting was immediately removed for restoration. Museum director Simone Verde expressed his outrage to the Italian news agency ANSA. He said the problem of visitors coming to museums to take selfies or memes for social networks was getting out of hand. "We will establish clear rules to prevent behaviour that is incompatible with the purpose of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage," Verde asserted. This is not the first time that art has fallen victim to selfies. Just recently, two visitors to the Palazzo Maffei in Verona destroyed a "Van Gogh chair" by artist Nicola Bolla, which was encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The couple had apparently discovered the perfect photo opportunity - they sat down on the glittering sculpture, which then broke, as can be seen on a surveillance video from the museum. - dpa
Metro
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Are selfies ruining museums? One reader thinks galleries should ban photography
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. I was saddened to read about the clumsy visitor to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence who ripped a 300-year-old portrait by Anton Domenico Gabbiani while trying to take a selfie (MetroTalk, Wed). On my first visit to Florence recently, any gallery or museum visit was ruined by the number of people who didn't seem to want to look at the incredible paintings but get as close to the canvas as they could to take a selfie. I think the galleries should ban photography. Mary Maguire, London So Brad Pitt says he's 'missed out on having a gay experience' (Metro, Thu). Get yourself to London, Brad, and sample some. More than willing to show you round. Bob Jones, Kidbrooke To those like Ken (MetroTalk, Tue) complaining about the heat on the buses in the summer, here's a radical suggestion: ride a bike and avoid congestion. Geoff, Oxford As the dry spell continues, I have noticed more and more sad, wilting trees and shrubs in public places. Councils and office owners spend so much on trying to make public spaces attractive but sometimes don't bother to follow up by watering regularly. If any of us notice this happening, as well as bringing attention to it, we can actually do things ourselves even if 'it's not our job'. Geoff Cosson, London London mayor Sadiq Khan has been bounding around proclaiming that the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street has received the support of the overwhelming majority of Londoners. The claim is based on a consultation that had just over 6,000 respondents – two-thirds (66 per cent) of whom saying they were in favour. London has a population of 9million – 6,000 people does not constitute the voice of London residents and owners of businesses who operate there. Yes, 66 per cent is a majority but absolutely not an overwhelming majority. Two-thirds of 6,000 is 4,000. In a population of 9million, 4,000 does not constitute a mandate. Jee Wode, London To the teacher in hi-vis at Loughton station in north-east London on Monday morning who reprimanded me for pushing through a 'herd of buffalo' mass of schoolkids who stampeded onto the Tube carriage in a cacophony of infantile screams and shouts. I had to push through as they obviously ignored my attempt to alight from the train. I would have been trapped in that carriage if I'd permitted that army of underage stormtroopers to gain an extra inch. I'm not sure by their body language whether they even acknowledged the existence of a 61-year-old man with a herniated lumbar disc and an impaired left leg – that was me – who was simply trying to get off the train. By shaming me for doing the common sense and practical thing, you only shame yourself and your profession. It was your job to corral these kids into line and request them to let people off the train first – and you failed. You told me they were 'only children'. From what I could see, they were roughly 11 years old and old enough to obey instructions. More Trending And unlike me, they have young bones impervious to wear and tear and injury. William Barklam, Erith May I add to your silly joke submissions to lighten the mood? Two eggs boiling in a pan of water, one says to the other, 'Phew it's hot in here.' 'Wait until they take you out,' says the other, 'that's when they bash your head in.' Pat, Whitefield A good friend of mine – the local blacksmith – died. I adopted his dog. When I got him home, the first thing he did was make a bolt for the door. Peter Meyers, Bromley MORE: Bowling, burgers, fries and drinks: 10 unmissable Time Out deals MORE: Look cute on the court this summer with H&M Move's new racket collection MORE: Porn sites to make major change to who can watch x-rated videos
Observer
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Tourist taking a selfie damages painting in Italy's Uffizi Gallery
A visitor to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence damaged a priceless oil painting while attempting to take a selfie, the museum revealed on Saturday. The unidentified tourist leaned against the Baroque portrait Portrait of Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany by Anton Domenico Gabbiani to capture a photograph — until the canvas gave way. Italian broadcaster TG1 posted a video on X showing the painting's canvas tearing under the man's weight. The painting is regarded as one of the highlights of the current exhibition. The man was identified by museum staff and reported to the police. A photograph in the local newspaper Corriere Fiorentino shows a tear in the canvas. The museum management said that the damage is minor and can be repaired. The painting was immediately removed for restoration. Museum director Simone Verde expressed his outrage to the Italian news agency ANSA. He said the issue of visitors coming to museums to take selfies or memes for social networks was getting out of hand. 'We will establish clear rules to prevent behaviour that is incompatible with the purpose of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage,' Verde asserted. This is not the first time that art has fallen victim to selfies. Recently, two visitors to the Palazzo Maffei in Verona destroyed a Van Gogh chair by artist Nicola Bolla, which was encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The couple had apparently found the perfect photo opportunity — they sat on the glittering sculpture, which then broke, as seen in a surveillance video from the museum. —dpa
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tourist destroys 300-year-old painting while trying to take a selfie
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 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo 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.
STV News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Museum calls out 'rampant' social media photos after visitor trips onto artwork
Florence's Uffizi Gallery, home to some of Italy's most treasured masterpieces, plans to restrict how visitors take photographs, following an incident in which an eighteenth-century painting was reportedly ripped. The museum said the surface of the painting was 'bumped' by visitor, who was attempting to 'make a meme' in front of the artwork. Security camera footage of the incident, which was aired by Italian TV, shows a visitor to the museum stumbling backwards into a 300-year-old painting, a portrait of Tuscan prince Ferdinando de' Medici painted by Anton Domenico Gabbiani in 1712. The director of the Uffizi, Simone Verde, said it was a widespread problem and is now considering banning selfies and photographs in front of artworks. 'Today a tourist wanting to make a meme in front of a painting, backing away in a pose like the prince of the Medici portrayed, bumped the surface of the work,' Verde said in a statement on Saturday. 'The problem of visitors coming to museums to make memes or take selfies for social media is rampant. 'We will set very precise limits, preventing behaviour that is not compatible with the sense of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage.' It is understood that police have been informed. This is the latest in a series of incidents in which artworks have been damaged by photo-snapping visitors. Earlier this month, CCTV footage showed a tourist trying to sit on a crystal-covered chair by artist Nicola Bolla for a photograph. It collapsed under his weight. The video was footage released by Verona's Palazzo Maffei, which said it had contacted the police after the people responsible fled the scene. The museum described the work as 'extremely fragile' but said it had since been repaired. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
