A bumbling tourist managed to damage a priceless 300-year-old painting at an art gallery in Florence. The police are now reportedly involved.
According to a report by the BBC, a visitor fell into a portrait of Ferdinando de’ Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany. Anton Domenico Gabbiani created artwork around 330 years ago. The Florence’s Uffizi Gallery reportedly told the outlet the tourist fell while attempting to “make a meme.”
CCTV footage shared by 7News Sydney appears to show a man trying to imitate the pose of the grand prince in the artwork. However, he loses his balance and only manages to stay on his feet by using the painting to break his fall. He tore a hole in the canvas while doing so. The outlet says the man tripped on a piece of wood designed to keep visitors at a safe distance. According to the Daily Mail, that obstacle has previously tripped another visitor, although nothing was damaged.
Gallery Director Simone Verde told the BBC that experts could repair the artwork quickly. But in light of the incident, the establishment may place restrictions on visitor behavior in the future. Verde reportedly said in a statement, “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 behavior that is not compatible with the sense of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage.”
The Exhibition Housing The Painting Will Remain Closed Until Next Month
The Uffizi Gallery was displaying the portrait alongside roughly 150 other pieces in an exhibition called Florence and Europe: Arts of the Eighteenth Century at the Uffizi. The works are now closed to the public, although they are expected to reopen on July 2. During that time, experts will repair the damaged piece. The BBC explains that the exhibition will then remain open until November 28.
As for the clumsy visitor, authorities have not revealed his identity to the public. However, per the BBC, police have identified him and ‘reported to the judicial authorities.’
It’s unclear if he will face any criminal charges or fines.