Salvador Dali artwork damaged ‘by visitors taking photos’ in Russian gallery

Video shows stand displaying Dali and Goya works collapsing to floor

An artwork by Salvador Dali has been damaged after a group of visitors taking a photograph sent it crashing to the floor at a gallery in Russia.

Three women were apparently snapping a picture at Glavny Prospekt International Arts Centre in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg when they knocked over a stand on which the work was mounted.

Dali's picture was displayed alongside a work by Francisco Goya.

“Goya’s work had its frame and glass broken,” a gallery official told Russian news agency Tass. “As far as Dali’s artwork is concerned, apart from shattered frame and protective glass, it also suffered damage to the picture itself.”

The works were etchings from Goya’s Los Caprichos series and Dali’s interpretation of the piece. Experts are examining the damage.

CCTV footage released by Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs shows visitors to the exhibition crowding around after the stand crashes to the floor.

The gallery, which displays modern art and regional artefacts, said the women had “behaved inadequately” and asked police to bring charges.

However, the footage appears to show the stand they knocked down was not properly secured to the wall.

Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk said the women had "explained the stand was touched by chance when they tried to take a photo with the paintings in the background".

Police confirmed they were investigating.

Last year woman has caused $200,000 (£152,000) damage at a US exhibition after knocking over a display while taking a selfie.

The museum where the works were being displayed said three pieces of art were “permanently damaged” in the accident.