Fact Check: 300-year-old painting damaged by visitor trying to make a meme.

Fact Check: 300-Year-Old Painting Damaged by Visitor Trying to Make a Meme

What We Know

On June 21, 2025, a 300-year-old painting at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence was damaged when a visitor attempted to take a selfie while mimicking the pose of the subject in the artwork. The painting, a portrait of Tuscan prince Ferdinando de’ Medici, was created by Anton Domenico Gabbiani in 1712. Security footage captured the moment when the tourist lost his balance and fell backward onto the canvas, resulting in a fist-sized tear near the prince's right boot (Express, NDTV, New York Post).

The Uffizi Gallery's director, Simone Verde, stated that the damage was relatively minor and that the painting had been removed for repairs. He also expressed concerns about the growing trend of visitors prioritizing social media over respect for cultural heritage, indicating that stricter regulations may be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future (Express, Metro).

Analysis

The incident has been widely reported across various reputable news outlets, including NDTV and The Guardian. These sources confirm the details of the event, including the identity of the artwork and the nature of the damage. The reports consistently highlight the visitor's intent to create a meme, which aligns with the claim being fact-checked.

The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. However, it is important to note that sensationalist language is sometimes used in headlines, which may exaggerate the severity of the incident. For example, terms like "destroyed" may not accurately reflect the actual damage, which was described as minor by museum officials (Metro).

Additionally, the Uffizi Gallery's management has taken steps to address the issue of visitor behavior, indicating a proactive approach to preserving cultural heritage. This context supports the claim that the incident is part of a broader trend of disrespectful behavior by some museum visitors, which has been documented in other recent incidents (New York Post, The Guardian).

Conclusion

The claim that a 300-year-old painting was damaged by a visitor trying to make a meme is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the incident occurred as described, with the visitor's actions leading to physical damage to the artwork. The Uffizi Gallery's response and the broader implications for visitor behavior further substantiate the claim.