A tourist who was posing for pictures accidentally ripped through a priceless masterpiece in Italy.

The visitor reportedly damaged the 17th-century portrait of Grand Prince Ferdinando de' Medici at the Uffizi Galleries in Florence on June 21.

Footage of the incident shows the clumsy traveller attempting to mimic the stylised pose of the prince in the painting as he stands in front of it for a photograph.

But as he clowns around for the camera, he loses his balance and falls back into the unprotected canvas, causing it to rip.

After tearing the masterpiece, he quickly stands up and places his hands behind his back as if studying the artwork before the clip ends.

Photos of the damage show a fist-sized hole in the canvas, which has now been withdrawn from public view and is undergoing painstaking restoration.

Furious museum officials reported the visitor to the police, who are said to be investigating the incident.

Uffizi director Simone Verde later strongly reprimanded the tourist.

He said: 'Today, a tourist wanting to make a meme in front of a painting, stepping back in a pose like the portrayed Prince of Medici, hit the surface of the work.

'The problem of visitors who come to museums to make memes or take selfies for social media is rampant.

'We will set very precise limits, preventing behaviours that are not compatible with the purpose of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage.'

The 'Portrait of Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany' was painted by Anton Domenico Gabbiani, an Italian artist active in the late Baroque style, at the height of his career as a Medici family court painter.