Fact Check: "300-year-old painting damaged by meme-seeking visitor at Uffizi Gallery"
What We Know
On June 21, 2025, a visitor at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, damaged a 300-year-old painting titled Portrait of Ferdinando de Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany. The incident occurred when the unnamed tourist attempted to pose in a manner similar to the prince depicted in the painting, lost his balance, and fell into the artwork, resulting in a fist-sized tear in the canvas (Metro, CNN). The painting, created by Anton Domenico Gabbiani in 1712, is currently undergoing repairs and has been withdrawn from public display (Metro, Express).
Uffizi Gallery officials reported the incident to the police, who are investigating the matter. The gallery's director, Simone Verde, expressed concern over the increasing trend of visitors engaging in behaviors aimed at creating social media content, stating, "The problem of visitors who come to museums to make memes or take selfies for social media is rampant" (Metro, ITV).
Analysis
The claim that a 300-year-old painting was damaged by a visitor seeking to create a meme is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The incident was captured on CCTV, which has been referenced in reports from major news outlets like CNN and ITV, providing visual evidence of the event (CNN, ITV). The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards.
Furthermore, the director's comments highlight a broader issue regarding visitor behavior in museums, suggesting that this incident is part of a larger trend rather than an isolated occurrence. This context adds depth to the claim, reinforcing its validity (Metro, Express).
While some might argue that the incident was accidental and not directly linked to the intent to create a meme, the actions leading up to the damage—specifically, the visitor's pose and subsequent fall—indicate a clear connection to social media-driven behavior. Thus, the claim is not only accurate but also reflective of a concerning trend in cultural spaces.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that a 300-year-old painting was damaged by a meme-seeking visitor at the Uffizi Gallery is true. The incident involved a tourist who, while attempting to pose for a photo, accidentally tore the artwork. This event has been corroborated by multiple reliable sources, including video evidence and statements from museum officials, highlighting both the specifics of the incident and the broader implications regarding visitor behavior in cultural institutions.
Sources
- 5年亲测200款！
- 300-year-old Uffizi painting destroyed after tourist tried to take a ...
- 2025年618哪一款手机性价比高？全品牌、全价位手机 ...
- Visitor damages Uffizi painting while posing for photo | CNN
- 如何评价 SIGMA 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS 无反镜头？
- Museum calls out 'rampant' social media photos after visitor trips onto ...
- 月更！2025年618机械键盘、磁轴键盘入门选购推荐（含 ...
- Fury in Italy as historic 300-year-old painting damaged by visitor
