A tourist at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence accidentally damaged an 18th-century portrait while attempting to take a selfie on Saturday (June 21). The painting, a 1712 portrait of Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany, by Anton Domenico Gabbiani, was torn when the visitor stumbled backward, tripping on a platform meant to keep viewers at a safe distance. The incident left a hole near the prince's right boot.

The tourist, who has not been publicly identified, was reported to authorities. The Uffizi Gallery has since removed the painting for repairs, although the damage is considered light and the artwork is expected to return to display soon. The gallery's director, Simone Verde, expressed concern over the growing trend of visitors taking selfies and making memes in museums, stating that new restrictions will be implemented to protect cultural heritage. He emphasized the need for limits to prevent behavior that disrespects cultural institutions.

“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. The tourist, who was immediately identified, will be prosecuted," Verde said in a statement to The Art Newspaper.

This incident is part of a broader issue where museum-goers inadvertently damage exhibits while taking photos. Recently, a crystal-covered chair inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's work was damaged at a museum in Verona, and a Mark Rothko painting was damaged in the Netherlands.

Michelle Fay