The Uffizi Galleries in Florence temporarily removed a Caravaggio painting from public display after rainwater leaked onto the glass protecting the artwork during a severe storm in Tuscany on Thursday. The storm, which brought nearly two inches of rain in an hour to Florence’s Boboli Gardens—part of the Uffizi complex—caused flooding in the area and led to power outages.

The affected painting, Bacchus, depicts the reclining Roman god of wine and fertility holding a red goblet and wearing a garland. The artwork, donated to Ferdinando I de’ Medici in 1608 and later rediscovered in the museum’s storerooms, was immediately taken down for inspection. Museum officials later confirmed there had been a minor leak from a fanlight above the painting but stated that the artwork itself had not suffered any damage. Other parts of the Uffizi complex also experienced flooding during the storm.

In response to the incident, the Uffizi’s director, Simone Verde, emphasized that the museum is undertaking renovations aimed at better protecting its collection from the increasing risks posed by extreme weather events. Verde noted that such measures should no longer be considered extraordinary but necessary preparation for a "new normal" shaped by rapid and severe climate change.

The incident has also drawn criticism from some in the art community. Tomaso Montanari, an art historian who resigned from the Uffizi’s scientific committee earlier this year, argued that museum leadership is prioritizing acquisitions, high-profile exhibitions, and renovations over more basic but essential maintenance tasks. Montanari suggested it might be more prudent to focus on repairing structural vulnerabilities, such as damaged skylights, rather than purchasing new works.

The episode highlights ongoing challenges faced by historic institutions in protecting priceless cultural heritage amid increasingly unpredictable weather patterns linked to climate change. The Uffizi, housed in a 16th-century building commissioned by Cosimo I de’ Medici, represents one of the world’s most significant art collections, amplifying the urgency for necessary preservation efforts.