An 18th-century painting at Florence's prestigious Uffizi Gallery has suffered damage after a tourist, attempting to take a selfie while mimicking the subject's pose, stumbled and tore the canvas. The incident, involving Anton Domenico Gabbiani's "Portrait of Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany," highlights a growing global concern among museums about the "rampant" problem of visitors prioritizing social media photos over the preservation of invaluable cultural heritage.
In a concerning incident that has reignited debates over visitor behavior in cultural institutions, a 300-year-old masterpiece on display at the Uffizi Galleries in Florence, Italy, has been damaged by a tourist attempting to capture a selfie. The artwork, "Portrait of Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany" (circa 1695–1700) by Anton Domenico Gabbiani, suffered a tear at the bottom of the canvas.
A Selfie Gone Wrong
The incident, which occurred on June 21, 2025, and was captured on security footage, shows a male visitor posing in front of the painting. In an attempt to mimic the posture of the Grand Prince in the portrait, the man reportedly stepped backward and lost his balance. He then stumbled over a low platform, designed to maintain a safe distance between visitors and the artwork, and his hand tore a hole in the canvas near the prince's right boot.
Museum staff swiftly responded, removing the damaged painting for restoration and identifying the individual. The tourist has since been reported to the police for culpable damage to cultural heritage. While experts have indicated that the damage is relatively minor and repairable, the event serves as a stark reminder of the increasing risks faced by priceless artworks in the age of social media.
"Selfie Culture" vs. Cultural Preservation
Simone Verde, the director of the Uffizi Galleries, has voiced strong criticism following the incident, describing the problem of visitors prioritizing selfies and "memes" over genuine appreciation and respect for art as "rampant" and "out of control."
This is not an isolated incident. Museums worldwide have grappled with similar issues, with tourists causing accidental damage to sculptures, paintings, and historical artifacts in their quest for the perfect photo or viral content. Examples include:
Statues broken by climbers: Tourists attempting to climb or sit on ancient sculptures for photos have resulted in broken limbs and irreversible damage.
Artworks touched or defaced: The desire for a tactile experience or a unique "check-in" photo can lead to direct contact with artworks, leaving behind oils, dirt, or even causing abrasions.
Domino effects: In some instances, a single misstep or a desire to get closer for a photo has led to a cascade of damage to multiple installations.
These incidents highlight a fundamental tension between the desire for personal engagement with art and the imperative of its long-term preservation.
Measures and Outlook
In response to such occurrences, museums are increasingly implementing stricter rules and exploring various preventative measures:
Clearer Signage and Barriers: While the Uffizi already had a low platform designed to maintain distance, this incident suggests that these measures might need to be more robust or more clearly communicated.
Increased Surveillance: Security footage plays a crucial role in identifying culprits and understanding how incidents occur.
Educational Campaigns: Museums are trying to educate visitors about the fragility of artworks and the importance of respectful behavior.
Potential Restrictions: The Uffizi's director has indicated that the gallery will consider imposing "very precise limits" on visitor behavior in the future to prevent actions incompatible with the institution's purpose and respect for cultural heritage.
The damage to the "Portrait of Ferdinando de' Medici" serves as a poignant cautionary tale. As global tourism continues to rebound, cultural institutions face the ongoing challenge of balancing accessibility and visitor experience with their paramount responsibility to protect the world's shared artistic and historical legacy from the unintended consequences of modern behaviors.