You may recall the global disgust over a Chinese tourist who wrote on an ancient Egyptian temple, now it will be Americans who hang their heads in shame. An unidentified 55-year-old man from Missouri snapped the finger off a 14th or 15th century marble masterpiece when he decided to measure it by grabbing the hand. It is something out of a Seinfeld episode but this represents a serious act of destruction of an ancient piece. Fortunately, it can be repaired.
The piece is called the Annunciazione by medieval sculptor Giovanni D’Ambrogio. The Annunciation refers to the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. The hand on this work at Florence’s Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is not part of the original and is made of plaster. A security guard was rushing to tell this dysfunctional moron not to touch the art when the finger snapped off. He was at the museum with three other people.
I have been to this museum in Florence, as have many other Americans, and marveled at its collection. What this man did is a national disgrace and embarrassment. How old do you have to be to know not to touch art works? I can understand kids forgetting the rule (which is why we hover close to them at museums). This was a grown man.
The tourist was reported to police. Do you believe that this should be a criminal matter? As angry and disgusted as I am, this is clearly not an intentional act. It is an act of unspeakable stupidity to be sure but should it be charged as a type of criminal negligence? In the very least, the museum should charge this man for the restoration of the hand . . . and hopefully ban him from ever returning to the museum.
It is such an odd behavior to touch art in museums, and for me it takes his profssional character under question. What was he thinking? Was he under the influence? Does he pull this stuff while at work?
As far as the finger, it was a plaster cast replica, so lucky for him and the arts, no big deal. I wished that museums would disclose what is real and what is not. I don’t want to waste my time looking at plaster casts. I rather be looking at real hot Italian guys.
Prego.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2385591/Patrick-Broderick-The-American-SURGEON-accidentally-snapped-finger-600-year-old-marble-statue-Florence-museum-youd-thought-hed-better-hands.html
Thanks, nick.
Gene, The Daily Mail, yesterday.
Tony,
Crimes against persons and crimes against property have some inherent differences at law. What constitutes mere negligence against property may constitute a wanton and reckless disregard for the life of a human (which if you’re a human being with a conscience and not an actuary has inherently non-quantifiable value as a matter of principle).
nick,
Where did you see the guy’s name? Every story I saw on this said “unidentified Missouri man”.
AY, Gene: We saw a case in the past where a person was wearing a bunny costume or something covered with cotton balls, and was set on fire (on purpose, if I recall).
In the same situation, if some idiot thought it was just funny to light a match to see the reaction of the actor in costume, and by that act unintentionally set the actor on fire, shouldn’t that be criminal negligence? Endangerment? Something?
Perhaps monetary damages are enough, but I am particularly incensed by the moronic destruction of fine art. Like life itself, I think it is unique and irreplaceable.
No one arrested or fined the soldiers in Napoleon’s Army that shot the nose of the Sphinx. I doubt seriously if anyone fined the Muslims that blew up the Buddha statues a few years back.
On the other hand, WHY is the guy touching art work in a museum? Because the museum didn’t place the stuff behind a line or window? Who knows?
I was an act of negligent stupidity which to my mind wasn’t criminal, but he should pay for the restoration.
emw1, Some Italians may be taking a few fingers from the surgeon. Although that would be stupid. He needs to keep working to pay for the damage. I just wouldn’t want this guy cutting me. It will be interesting to see if he gets fired.
Those Italians don’t take destruction of art lightly, I’m sure…He’s going to pay thru the arse to fix it.
If he were from Missouri, he would need to be a meth cooker to have the dough needed. Coffee is kicking in so someone please explain the Obama quote on the other thread.
So, he should have the dough to pay for restoration, as long as he’s still employed!
Actually, the culprit is a 56 year old ER surgeon named, Patrick Broderick. He works @ the Danbury Hospital in my home state of Ct.
The touching may have been intentional…. The destruction, breaking the finger…. Not so much…. I agree that they should be charged the cost of repair ….. And maybe banned…. But criminal charges…. Not so much….
Little crazy-glue will fix it right up. And he should banned from every museum
Tony,
Criminal property damage charges usually have a “willful and malicious” element to them. This probably doesn’t qualify. As for the restoration bill, I’m sure it won’t be cheap regardless.
This is a criminal act, the touching was intentional, common sense would prohibit it, and it resulted in serious damage to a unique work of art that cannot ever be replaced.
I think it amounts to criminality; perhaps a six figure restoration bill and a little prison time would serve to preserve other works of art in the future from similar morons.
Seriously, I think he should be banned and charged for the restoration.
I think he should be given the finger.