Camilla Jessen
A five-year-old girl in Italy damaged a gold sculpture.
A child’s curiosity led to unexpected damage at a Venetian art gallery.
An Expensive Accident in Jesolo
A five-year-old girl visiting the Orler Gallery in Jesolo, near Venice, has accidentally damaged a gold sculpture worth $35,000 (€30,000), according to reports from Corriere della Sera.
The piece, titled Golden Athena, is a 24-carat gold spider created by artist Carlo Pecorelli.
Spurred on by Curiosity
The incident unfolded when the Polish child became fascinated by a nearby white canvas by Enrico Castellani, valued at around $233.900 (€200,000).
In her eagerness to interact with the painting, she reportedly broke free from her mother’s supervision.
Climbing the Sculpture
To reach the Castellani canvas, the girl attempted to climb Golden Athena, resulting in the breakage of one of the spider’s legs.
Gallery staff intervened quickly, preventing further damage not only to the sculpture but also to other high-value artworks nearby.
One of them, a piece by Alighiero Boetti, is worth an estimated $584.836 (€500,000), making the potential for loss even greater.
Restoration Underway
The sculpture has since been removed and replaced temporarily while repairs begin.
Artist Carlo Pecorelli confirmed the extent of the damage and the complexity of the restoration:
“It needs to be restored, welded, polished and refreshed with 24-carat gold. These are operations that I cannot carry out, but must be entrusted to a specialized company.”
Covered by Insurance
The cost of restoration will be covered by insurance, as is standard practice in galleries that house valuable and fragile artwork.
Family Agrees to Compensation
While the child’s family was not named publicly, the gallery confirmed that an agreement had been reached with them for a confidential compensation amount.
No legal action is expected.
Tightening Security Measures
In response to the incident, the Orler Gallery has announced plans to increase public surveillance and implement additional protective systems such as display cases and sensors.
Although unfortunate, these kinds of accidents are not unheard of.
“Unfortunately, despite all precautions, such incidents can happen. In all exhibitions, large or small, and regardless of the value of the work, maximum vigilance and appropriate protection systems are necessary,” he stated.
