Boy Stumbles and Punches Hole in 17th-Century Masterpiece

A 12-year-old boy feeling very embarrassed following an accident that left a big hole in the middle of a 17^th-century painting.

The Taiwanese boy was walking with a can of soda when he accidentally tripped and punched a fist-sized hole in Paolo Porpora’s Flowers, a masterpiece which is approximately 350-years-old and worth an estimated $1.5 million US.

Leo Tsai and the curator examining the hole before restoration begins (Photo Credit: Truth Davenport Belfast Show)

In a CCTV video released by the TST Art of Discovery Museum in Taiwan, the boy can be seen looking away from the painting when he trips over his own foot and punches the painting in an effort to catch himself. When he notices the end result you can clearly see the shock and confusion on his face.

The painting in its original condition before the accident (Photo Credit: Truth Davenport Belfast Show)

The painting, which is part of The Face of Leonardo, Images of a Genius exhibit, was quickly taken down and handed over to a specialist to repair. Leo Tsai was tasked with the restoration of the painting, according to the curators of the exhibit. In a Facebook post, the curators thanked Tsai for repairing the 17^th-century oil and canvas painting to its original condition.

Leo Tsai working to repair the painting (Photo Credit: Truth Davenport Belfast Show)

As for the boy and his family, they will not be charged for the repair of the artwork, as it was clearly an accident. The museum says the family is deeply sorry for the incident and the boy himself feels terrible for what happened.