Moreover,
Visitor tears 17th century table:
While he had fun taking pictures in front of the portrait of a Grand Duke. Similarly, a tourist fell on a canvas by damaging him. Meanwhile, In response to this incident. Furthermore, the director of the offices said he wanted to take “anti-selfies” measures “
After the recent deterioration by two visitors to the “Van Gogh chair” at the Palazzo Maffei in Verona, a new work of art was damaged on Italian soil. In addition, On June 21. Meanwhile, at the gallery of the offices of Florence, a tourist came across a work of the 17th century while he was trying to take a selfie. Nevertheless, As Simone Verde. However, director of the institution explains: “ He fell by taking the same pose as that of the Grand Duke and hit the surface of the table, which had the consequence of tearing visitor tears 17th century table the lower part of the canvas, at the level of the right foot ». Nevertheless, The scene was filmed by the museum surveillance cameras and the manager was intercepted. The offices have expressed their intention to prosecute this unconscious visitor.
More fear than harm – Visitor tears 17th century table
The unfortunately damaged table is a portrait of Ferdinand de Médicis. Grand Duke of Tuscany, executed around 1695-1700 by the Italian Baroque painter Anton Domenico Gabbiani (1652-1726). Usually kept at the Pitti Palace. it was exceptionally exposed to the offices as part of the exhibition “Florence and Europe: 18th century arts at the offices” (visible until November 28) which tells the Age of Enlightenment through 150 works.
At the Uffizi a visitor loses his balance as he makes a selfie and damages a painting. The scene immortalized in a video. #ANSA visitor tears 17th century table pic.twitter.com/uoWVPuarRJ
– Ansa agency (@agenzia_ansa) June 21. 2025
The notch at the bottom of the canvas having been immediately noticed, the work could be quickly removed from the exhibition halls and entrusted to the good care of the restaurateurs. The ultimately minor of damage should allow the work to ” reintegrate the exhibition in the coming days “Said Simone Verde.

In the center, the portrait of Ferdinand de Médicis, visitor tears 17th century table Grand Duke de Tuscane (1695-1700) by Anton Domenico Gabbiani exposed to the offices before the incident of June 21, 2025. Screen capture of the Offices website
“Anti-selfies” measures “
As the latter pointed out. such an incident, which fortunately has no more serious consequence, highlights the imprudent, even disrespectful behaviors, of certain museum visitors who make works and objects vulnerable. “” The problem of visitors who come to museums to make memes. take selfies for social networks is expanding, explains Simone Verde. We will impose very precise limits. by prohibiting behaviors incompatible with the meaning of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage. »

Anton Domenico Gabbiani, Portrait of Ferdinand de Médicis, Grand Duke de Tuscane, 1695-1700. Screenshot of the Offices website
The union of employees of the offices claims. for its part, that the fall of the tourist was caused by a wooden platform, installed at the foot of the fabrics, intended to maintain visitors at a good distance.

Green Simmon Portrait, acticing acticing Directel Delegy © wikimedy fly fly a / Photo Photo Hvnnan
This distance system had already been criticized within the institution, because considered visitor tears 17th century table to be counterproductive. Anyway, Simone Verde reacted firmly, announcing future “ mesures anti-selfies ».
Further reading: “People don’t wait after the artists, they don’t care” – Toulouse. But what do these paintings displayed on the city walls do? “My goal is to embellish it” – The team wins two awards at Deauville Sport Images Festival – Where did the statues of Michael Jackson go? – Jane Lutnick Fine Arts Center.