[noncoml]

I was at the Vatican museum recently and was surprised to see most sculptures appeared to be permanently damaged for embedding a number label. (example: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvqlG6iPcP8/UGzso1C3AcI/AAAAAAAAJF...)

I agree with you, let’s not be arrogant, like in the past, and destroy what we should save for future generations.

[dsego]

I was also there in april, and I am surprised the tourists and kids are left unattended, taking selfies, touching everything. It's an accident waiting to happen. Most tourists (ashamed to admit, but this includes me) don't actually appreciate or care about ancient art, it's more like been there, done that.

[Gustomaximus]

I'd encourage people to chide tourists that touch historic objects in museums. People should know better and while I suspect they dont care (from when I've done this many a time), it's worth trying!

[Keyframe]

Dude, I saw what appeared to be keyed names and tags on Raphael's wall paintings there. I couldn't believe my eyes.

[lamp_book]

Is that part of the original sculpture? It looks like a modern pedestal constructed for it to me.

[noncoml]

You are right, but that was just an example I found on the web. Here is another one: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Sculptur...

A few more:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2693/4094114491_b9ae422af4_b.j...

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4293/35910672716_90f1f62105_k....

[goldenkey]

Art is restored all the time. The places these labels were put are not where the valuable details rest. I grew up around antique collectors all my life. You are overreacting.

[dmix]

Indeed, plenty of famous art pieces have been 'fixed' and if you really wanted to revert a statue back to it's original form removing the number plate would be an easy job and do wouldn't take away from the real artistic parts of it. As they were placed on the flat base of the pedestal, not touching the primary artwork which is the statue itself.

Sure they could find far better solutions, and very likely would today. But I don't think this is a particularly big deal that it was done in the past.

[lsh]

you know, I never noticed the number labels, but I did notice all the fig leaves ...

https://realhousewifeadventures.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/fig...

[vacri]

Future generations will really appreciate that plugged shaft!