A priceless 16th-century Renaissance painting was damaged at a museum in Italy. The culprit was a visitor who accidentally tore the artwork while losing balance and falling.
According to local media reports, including ANSA, the incident occurred on Saturday during a Renaissance exhibition in Brescia, northern Italy. A female visitor stumbled near the artwork, tearing the lower right corner of the masterpiece.
The damaged painting, by Alessandro Bonvicino (Moretto da Brescia), is double-sided. On one side, it depicts two saints, and on the opposite side, the Virgin Mary with two disciples. Moretto was a Renaissance painter who represented the Brescia region.
Since the painting is double-sided, the museum placed it at the exhibition hall’s entrance rather than hanging it on a wall, allowing visitors to view both sides of the artwork. This unconventional display strategy, unfortunately, set the stage for the accident.
Following the incident, museum staff swiftly implemented protective measures for the damaged Moretto piece. Restoration experts and local cultural heritage officials quickly visited the scene to assess the situation. While the local newspaper Bresciaoggi estimates the damage could be worth thousands of euros, fortunately, the restoration costs will be covered by insurance.
Meanwhile, the museum announced that restoration work would begin on February 17, the day after the exhibition ends.
