Enough to make Mona Lisa smile: Taiwan boy falls through Italian masterpiece

Enough to make Mona Lisa smile: Taiwan boy falls through Italian masterpiece
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Summary The boy's fall appeared to have been influenced by the Marx Brothers

TAIPEI (Web Desk) -- A T$50 million ($1.54 million) masterpiece by an 17th century Italian artist was back on display in the Taiwan capital on Tuesday after a 12-year-old boy tripped, fell and punched a hole in the canvass, the exhibit organizer said.

"Flowers" by Italian master Paolo Porpora is part of a Taipei exhibit showcasing artwork painted by or influenced by Leonardo da Vinci, according to main organizer David Sun.

The boy s fall appeared to have been influenced by the Marx Brothers.

"It was such an unusual accident," Sun said. "The boy was listening to the guide and wasn t looking where he was going, and tripped and smashed a hole in the artwork."

Sun said the boy and his family had expressed sincere regret won t face any punishment.

"We had an Italian appraiser on hand and immediately contacted the collector," Sun said. "We decided to repair the painting immediately on site and it s back on display already."

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