Taiwanese boy trips, punches hole through million-dollar painting
A Taiwanese boy had an unforgettable "trip" to a museum in Taipei when he tripped and broke his fall by punching a hole through a million-dollar painting by Italian artist Paolo Porpora.
The 12-year-old Taiwanese boy was not looking at his path and accidentally tripped, but he was able to prevent an embarrassing fall by leaning on a nearby painting. Unfortunately, the move bore a fist-sized hole through the 17th-century painting influenced by Italian master Leonardo da Vinci, according to Fox News.
Art exhibit organizer David Sun said the boy punched a hole through "Flowers," a painting worth $1.5 million. The unfortunate accident happened during the "Face of Leonardo: Images of a Genius" art exhibit in Taipei, Global News relays.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"It was such an unusual accident," Fox quotes Sun. "The boy was listening to the guide and wasn't looking where he was going, and tripped and smashed a hole in the artwork."
Based on the security footage released by the organizers, the Taiwanese boy was carrying a drink in one hand while he was walking. He suddenly lost his balance and braced himself against the nearest surface — the expensive painting — to prevent himself from falling, the report details.
The reason for the boy's accident was not immediately clear. But curator Andrea Rossi said the boy and his family had apologized for the incident, and they would not be charged for the restoration costs for the painting. The boy had also requested the organizers of the exhibit to not blame him for the damage on the painting, the Daily Telegraph reports.
After the incident, Sun said they consulted with an Italian appraiser in the venue and immediately informed the private collector who owns the painting about what happened.
The damaged painting was immediately repaired, and Sun said it is now back on display. Since it is insured, the painting will be shipped back to Italy to undergo additional restoration processes within the week.
