Thursday, April 3, 2025

Renaissance Masterpiece Damaged by Visitor’s Accident in Italy

A 16th-century Renaissance masterpiece by Alessandro Bonvicino (1498-1554), also known as Moretto, was accidentally damaged by a visitor in Italy. February 9, 2025. / Newsis
A 16th-century Renaissance masterpiece by Alessandro Bonvicino (1498-1554), also known as Moretto, was accidentally damaged by a visitor in Italy. February 9, 2025. / Newsis

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.

Hot this week

Google Warns: North Korea’s Cyber Army Has Infiltrated Europe, and Asia Pacific May Be Next

North Korean cyber threats are expanding globally, targeting Europe and using diverse tactics to exploit job markets and fund operations.

Beyond Smartphones: Inside Xiaomi’s Offline Store and Its Vision for Expansion

Xiaomi plans to open its first store in South Korea, offering a wide range of products and improved after-sales service.

Ghibli-Style AI Images Send ChatGPT’s User Count Soaring

ChatGPT's daily users in South Korea hit 1.4 million, fueled by the new image-generation model and its viral popularity.

The ‘Dirty’ Truth About Hot Coffee on Airplanes

A flight attendant warns against ordering coffee on planes due to unsanitary water tanks and coffee pot maintenance issues.

Trump’s ‘Make America Wealthy Again’ Speech Set to Reveal New Reciprocal Tariffs

Trump announces reciprocal tariffs to boost competitiveness and reduce trade deficit, aiming to protect the U.S. economy.

Topics

Google Warns: North Korea’s Cyber Army Has Infiltrated Europe, and Asia Pacific May Be Next

North Korean cyber threats are expanding globally, targeting Europe and using diverse tactics to exploit job markets and fund operations.

Beyond Smartphones: Inside Xiaomi’s Offline Store and Its Vision for Expansion

Xiaomi plans to open its first store in South Korea, offering a wide range of products and improved after-sales service.

Ghibli-Style AI Images Send ChatGPT’s User Count Soaring

ChatGPT's daily users in South Korea hit 1.4 million, fueled by the new image-generation model and its viral popularity.

The ‘Dirty’ Truth About Hot Coffee on Airplanes

A flight attendant warns against ordering coffee on planes due to unsanitary water tanks and coffee pot maintenance issues.

Trump’s ‘Make America Wealthy Again’ Speech Set to Reveal New Reciprocal Tariffs

Trump announces reciprocal tariffs to boost competitiveness and reduce trade deficit, aiming to protect the U.S. economy.

Tariff Rush: U.S. Auto Sales Surge as Buyers Race to Beat Price Hikes

U.S. auto sales surged in March as consumers rushed to buy cars before a 25% tariff took effect, leading to price concerns.

Oil Markets Slip as Traders Brace for Trump’s Tariff Decision

Global oil markets declined as traders awaited Trump's tariff announcement, impacting crude prices amid cautious trading.

17-Year-Old Discovers Shocking Truth About Her Identity After Missing Periods

A 17-year-old girl discovered she had male chromosomes after not menstruating, diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS).

Related Articles