A selfie gone wrong has once again led to damage to a work of art, this time at the Uffizi Galleries in Florence. A tourist caused a tear in a valuable 18th-century portrait while attempting to take a photo, presumably for social media. The incident has prompted the museum’s management to take a drastic decision: imposing restrictions on smartphone use and inappropriate behavior linked to “selfie culture.”
The person responsible, as shown in a video published by the Daily Mail, posed in front of a 1712 portrait of Ferdinando de’ Medici, painted by Anton Domenico Gabbiani. Trying to mimic the aristocratic stance of the Grand Prince of Tuscany, the man fell backward, crashing into the canvas with his shoulder. The result: a visible hole near the right boot of the painted figure.
According to reports, the man tripped over a platform intended to keep visitors at a safe distance from the artworks. The museum’s director, Simone Verde, quickly confirmed the damage and announced upcoming measures: “The problem of visitors coming to museums just to create memes or take selfies for social media is out of control. I will establish clear boundaries to prevent behavior that is incompatible with the mission of our institutions and the respect due to cultural heritage.”
The tourist was immediately identified and will face legal consequences. Meanwhile, the damaged painting has been removed from the exhibition Florence and Europe: 18th-Century Arts at the Uffizi and sent for restoration. The section of the gallery housing the exhibition will remain closed to visitors until July 2, and will then reopen regularly until November 28.
This Florentine incident joins a growing list of accidents caused by individuals disregarding basic etiquette in cultural spaces. Just a few months ago, at Palazzo Maffei in Verona, a man was caught on surveillance cameras sitting on a crystal-covered sculpture Van Gogh’s Chair by artist Nicola Bolla. The artwork, clearly not meant to be used functionally, collapsed under his weight. That gesture, too, was reportedly meant for a photo.
These episodes are fueling an increasingly heated debate about the relationship between the public, art, and social media. While museums strive to engage with contemporary audiences and attract new visitors, they are also forced to contend with individuals who seem to forget where they are and what stands before them: fragile, unique, often centuries-old masterpieces.
Director Verde has sent a clear message: museum spaces must not become permanent photo sets. It is likely that new restrictions will include stricter physical barriers, increased supervision, and, as seen in other museums around the world, temporary bans on smartphone use in specific areas.
