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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
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.
Metro
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
300-year-old painting destroyed after tourist tried to take a selfie with it
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A man posing in front of a museum's priceless Medici painting stumbled and ripped the masterpiece in front of stunned onlookers. CCTV video footage from Italy's Uffizi Gallery in Florence on June 21 showed the unnamed tourist walking up to the 1712 Baroque painting, 'Portrait of Ferdinando de Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany'. The piece was painted by Anton Domenico Gabbiani at the height of his career as a Medici family court artist. The tourist attempted to re-enact the pose of the prince in the picture before losing his balance and falling back onto the canvas. After tearing the masterpiece, he stood back up and put his hands behind his back as if to pretend he was just studying the portrait. Photos of the damage show a fist-sized hole in the canvas, now withdrawn from public view and undergoing painstaking repairs. Museum officials reported the visitor to the police, who are said to be investigating the incident. Uffizi director Simone Verde later said: 'Today, a tourist wanting to make a meme in front of a painting, stepping back in a pose like the portrayed Prince of Medici, hits the surface of the work. 'The problem of visitors who come to museums to make memes or take selfies for social media is rampant. 'We will set very precise limits, preventing behaviours that are not compatible with the purpose of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage.' The debacle comes days after a museum urged visitors to 'respect art' after a tourist sat on a famous crystal chair and shattered it. The so-called 'Van Gogh' chair, named after the legendary Dutch artist, was housed at Palazzo Maffei, an art gallery in Verona, northern Italy. Footage captured a couple posing for pictures around the chair after waiting for the security guard to leave. The woman pretends to sit down before the man places his weight on the seat, which promptly cracks. The chair, designed by Italian artist Nicola Bolla, was studded with Swarovski crystals. More Trending Palazzo Maffei shared the CCTV footage on Facebook, describing the described the act as an 'irresponsible gesture'. The museum said that, despite uncertainty over whether the fragile chair could be restored, they had managed to repair it. It said: 'Every museum's nightmare has become reality, even in Palazzo Maffei. Waiting for the surveillance officers to come out, some visitors took an 'in effect' photo. 'The result? An irresponsible gesture caused serious damage to Nicola Bolla's 'Van Gogh' chair, a very delicate work, covered entirely with hundreds of Swarovski crystals.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: I found a hidden gem next to the Amalfi Coast — it has all the charm without the crowds MORE: 'Just gorgeous': Your favourite European islands that aren't in Greece MORE: 'We need more spaces in London to nurture creativity' – how this venue is paving the way
The Advertiser
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Selfie-taking tourist damages Baroque artwork in Italy
A visitor to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence has damaged a priceless oil painting while trying to take a selfie, the museum says. The unidentified tourist leaned against the Baroque artwork, 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 police. A photo in the local newspaper Corriere Fiorentino shows a tear in the canvas. The museum management said the damage was minor, however, and could 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 said. This is not the first time that art has fallen victim to selfies. Two visitors to the Palazzo Maffei in Verona recently destroyed a Van Gogh chair by artist Nicola Bolla, which was encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The couple had discovered the perfect photo opportunity - they sat down on the glittering sculpture, which then broke, as seen on a surveillance video from the museum. A visitor to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence has damaged a priceless oil painting while trying to take a selfie, the museum says. The unidentified tourist leaned against the Baroque artwork, 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 police. A photo in the local newspaper Corriere Fiorentino shows a tear in the canvas. The museum management said the damage was minor, however, and could 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 said. This is not the first time that art has fallen victim to selfies. Two visitors to the Palazzo Maffei in Verona recently destroyed a Van Gogh chair by artist Nicola Bolla, which was encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The couple had discovered the perfect photo opportunity - they sat down on the glittering sculpture, which then broke, as seen on a surveillance video from the museum. A visitor to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence has damaged a priceless oil painting while trying to take a selfie, the museum says. The unidentified tourist leaned against the Baroque artwork, 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 police. A photo in the local newspaper Corriere Fiorentino shows a tear in the canvas. The museum management said the damage was minor, however, and could 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 said. This is not the first time that art has fallen victim to selfies. Two visitors to the Palazzo Maffei in Verona recently destroyed a Van Gogh chair by artist Nicola Bolla, which was encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The couple had discovered the perfect photo opportunity - they sat down on the glittering sculpture, which then broke, as seen on a surveillance video from the museum. A visitor to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence has damaged a priceless oil painting while trying to take a selfie, the museum says. The unidentified tourist leaned against the Baroque artwork, 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 police. A photo in the local newspaper Corriere Fiorentino shows a tear in the canvas. The museum management said the damage was minor, however, and could 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 said. This is not the first time that art has fallen victim to selfies. Two visitors to the Palazzo Maffei in Verona recently destroyed a Van Gogh chair by artist Nicola Bolla, which was encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The couple had discovered the perfect photo opportunity - they sat down on the glittering sculpture, which then broke, as seen on a surveillance video from the museum.
Perth Now
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Selfie-taking tourist damages Baroque artwork in Italy
A visitor to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence has damaged a priceless oil painting while trying to take a selfie, the museum says. The unidentified tourist leaned against the Baroque artwork, 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 police. A photo in the local newspaper Corriere Fiorentino shows a tear in the canvas. The museum management said the damage was minor, however, and could 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 said. This is not the first time that art has fallen victim to selfies. Two visitors to the Palazzo Maffei in Verona recently destroyed a Van Gogh chair by artist Nicola Bolla, which was encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The couple had discovered the perfect photo opportunity - they sat down on the glittering sculpture, which then broke, as seen on a surveillance video from the museum.
