Art conservation is meant to preserve the masterpieces of history for future generations, but sometimes, these well-intentioned efforts go horribly wrong. Whether due to a lack of expertise, rushed decisions, or sheer carelessness, some restoration attempts have left artworks unrecognizable or damaged beyond repair. These failures remind us that art conservation is as much an art as it is a science, requiring skill, patience, and respect for the original work.

This list counts down ten infamous art conservation disasters, highlighting the mistakes that turned cultural treasures into cautionary tales.

Related: Top 10 Weird Images in Renaissance Paintings

10 The Melting Murillo: The Immaculate Conception (Spain, 2020)

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables is a celebrated 17th-century masterpiece depicting the Virgin Mary. In 2020, a Spanish furniture restorer—who had no formal training in art conservation—was hired to clean the painting. The results were disastrous. After two failed attempts at “restoring” the Virgin Mary’s face, the work was left unrecognizable, resembling a blurry cartoonish figure rather than Murillo’s delicate artistry.

The incident sparked outrage and ridicule, with comparisons drawn to the infamous Ecce Homo restoration (which appears later on this list). Experts condemned the lack of oversight in Spain’s art restoration practices, where unregulated amateurs are often entrusted with valuable cultural artifacts. Murillo’s painting eventually required extensive professional restoration, but the event highlighted the ongoing risks of entrusting masterpieces to the wrong hands.^[1]

9 The Overwashed Sistine Chapel Ceiling (Italy, 1980s)

The Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo in the early 16th century, is one of the most iconic works of Western art. Between 1980 and 1994, a massive restoration project aimed to clean centuries of grime and soot from the frescoes. While the results brought vibrant colors back to life, critics argue that the restoration stripped away some of Michelangelo’s original details, particularly his subtle shadowing techniques, known as chiaroscuro.

Some art historians claim that overzealous cleaning altered the masterpiece’s intended depth and texture. They also allege that the restoration team relied too heavily on chemical solvents, permanently damaging parts of the fresco. While the Vatican defends the project as a necessary effort to preserve Michelangelo’s work, the controversy remains a heated topic among art experts, demonstrating the thin line between preservation and destruction.^[2]

8 The Repainting of The Last Supper (Italy, 18th Century)

Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is a Renaissance masterpiece, but it has suffered centuries of damage due to environmental factors and previous restoration attempts. The worst offender was an 18th-century effort by painter Giuseppe Mazza, who attempted to “fix” the fresco by painting over Leonardo’s original work.

Mazza used oil paints rather than tempera, which not only obscured Leonardo’s delicate brushwork but also caused further degradation of the fresco. The repainting was widely criticized and ultimately removed in subsequent restoration efforts, but the damage was irreversible. Modern techniques have since stabilized the painting, but much of Leonardo’s original genius is lost, leaving The Last Supper as a cautionary example of restoration gone wrong.^[3]

7 The Waxing of the Parthenon Sculptures (England, 1937)

In 1937, British Museum staff undertook a controversial cleaning project on the Parthenon Marbles (also known as the Elgin Marbles). Workers used wire brushes, abrasive tools, and even acid to strip away centuries of grime, believing they were restoring the sculptures to their original state. Instead, they removed valuable patina, leaving the surfaces irreparably damaged.

The cleaning was later described as a “calamity” by art historians, who argued that the Marbles’ historical integrity was compromised. The incident remains a sore point in debates over the Marbles’ ownership, with Greece citing the botched restoration as evidence of Britain’s inability to properly care for these ancient treasures.^[4]

6 The Darkened Rembrandt: The Night Watch (Netherlands, 1940s)

Rembrandt’s The Night Watch is a Dutch masterpiece, but a 1940s restoration attempt resulted in unintended damage. To “brighten” the painting, restorers applied a thick layer of varnish, which eventually darkened over time, obscuring much of the work’s detail.

When later efforts were made to remove the varnish, they caused abrasions to the painting’s surface, leading to further loss of Rembrandt’s original brushwork. The restoration efforts caused outrage among art lovers and highlighted the dangers of invasive techniques. Today, The Night Watch remains under close monitoring, with modern conservators using cutting-edge methods to prevent further damage.^[5]

5 The Frankenstein Mummy (Egypt, 19th Century)

In the 19th century, early Egyptologists attempted to conserve mummies using a variety of experimental techniques. One particularly disastrous example involved a mummy from the British Museum, which was treated with paraffin wax to stabilize its fragile wrappings. While the wax initially preserved the mummy, it later caused the linens to deteriorate, leaving parts of the artifact irreparably damaged.

The case exemplifies the trial-and-error approach of early conservation, where well-meaning but uninformed efforts often caused more harm than good. Today, conservators rely on non-invasive techniques, but the mistakes of the past serve as a reminder of the risks of experimenting on irreplaceable artifacts.^[5]

4 The “Cartoonish” St. George Statue (Spain, 2018)

In 2018, an attempt to restore a 16th-century wooden sculpture of St. George at the Church of San Miguel de Estella in Spain turned into a widely publicized disaster. The statue, depicting St. George slaying a dragon, was entrusted to a local crafts teacher lacking expertise in art restoration. The result was a garish transformation: the saint was repainted with bright pink cheeks, a flat expression, and an anachronistic color palette. The restoration obliterated the intricate details and historical layers of the original, sparking outrage among art historians and conservationists who lamented the irreversible damage to the centuries-old artifact.

The debacle highlighted the dangers of neglecting proper conservation protocols. Critics faulted the church and local authorities for failing to involve qualified professionals violating regulations for heritage preservation. The incident also reignited debates about protecting cultural artifacts, particularly in small communities with limited resources and awareness of conservation standards. Globally, the botched restoration attracted media attention and ridicule, with many comparing it to the infamous “Ecce Homo” fresco fiasco of 2012. While some hoped the uproar would spotlight the need for better funding and education in restoration practices, others mourned the loss of another irreplaceable piece of history to negligence.^[7]

3 The Flaking Vermeer: The Girl with the Pearl Earring (Netherlands, 1990s)

Johannes Vermeer’s The Girl with the Pearl Earring is one of the most beloved paintings in the world, but a restoration effort in the 1990s stirred controversy among art historians and conservators. The cleaning was intended to remove layers of varnish and grime that had accumulated over centuries, obscuring Vermeer’s luminous colors and delicate brushwork. While the cleaning did reveal the painting’s original brilliance, it also introduced new risks. Some experts claimed that micro-flaking appeared in certain areas, particularly around the girl’s face and the iconic pearl earring, due to the cleaning solvents used.

In addition, critics argued that the restoration may have stripped away layers of glaze that Vermeer himself applied, subtly altering the painting’s texture and depth. Although The Girl with the Pearl Earring remains a global icon, the restoration raised questions about the ethics of interventions that prioritize aesthetic appeal over historical integrity. This incident highlights the challenges of preserving fragile works while balancing the expectations of modern audiences and museums.^[8]

2 The “Potato Head” Jesus: Ecce Homo (Spain, 2012)

In 2012, a fresco of Jesus Christ, Ecce Homo, became an international sensation after an amateur restoration attempt went disastrously wrong. Painted by 19th-century artist Elías García Martínez, the fresco was a modest but revered depiction of Christ in the Sanctuary of Mercy church in Borja, Spain. Cecilia Giménez, a well-meaning but untrained parishioner in her 80s, attempted to restore the deteriorating work [LINK 9]. The result was a grotesque image with distorted proportions and what many described as a “Potato Head” or “Monkey Jesus.”

While the restoration was widely mocked, it unexpectedly transformed the small town of Borja into a tourist destination. Visitors flocked to see the botched fresco, and it became a symbol of both art-world cautionary tales and internet humor. Despite its comedic legacy, the incident sparked serious discussions about the risks of allowing unqualified individuals to work on significant cultural artifacts. Some experts have argued that the fresco could have been saved if professional intervention had been sought earlier, but now it is permanently altered—albeit with a new, peculiar charm.^[9]

1 The Ruined Rockefeller Picasso: Le Tricorne (USA, 2014)

Pablo Picasso’s Le Tricorne, a 1919 painted stage curtain, became the center of a controversial incident in 2014 when it was damaged during a move from New York’s Four Seasons Restaurant to the New York Historical Society. The curtain, measuring over 20 feet (6 meters) tall, had been a beloved fixture at the restaurant for decades, acting as both a decorative centerpiece and a symbol of modern art’s integration into public spaces. When the building’s management decided to move the piece to accommodate renovations, experts warned of the risks involved in transporting such a fragile artwork.

Those warnings proved prescient when Le Tricorne was torn during the transfer due to improper handling and inadequate equipment. The incident caused outrage in the art community, with critics accusing the movers and property owners of negligence. Although the curtain was eventually repaired, the damage was irreversible in certain areas, diminishing the artwork’s historical and cultural value. The controversy reignited debates about the responsibilities of private owners in safeguarding public treasures and highlighted the dangers of underestimating the complexities of moving large-scale, delicate artworks.^[10]

Long before DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, pizza chains were the pioneers of delivery service. On hot days when you had no desire to fire up the oven, or on Fridays when the hustle and bustle of the week had brought you to exhaustion, you didn’t need an app or even internet access. All it took was a phone call to have a hot pepperoni, combination, or—dare we say—Hawaiian pizza delivered straight to your door.

While the ten stories on this list are a mix of tragedy, misfortune, and a bit of humor, they all have one thing in common. They are 10 examples of pizza deliveries gone terribly wrong.

Related: 10 Catastrophes Caused By Food

10 William Fields

Forty-five-year-old William Fields, or “Billy,” as he was better known, was well-known within the community of Connersville, Indiana, where he lived. He was also a favorite delivery driver for Pizza King, the company he worked at for almost 30 years. However, Fields could never have imagined that the seemingly routine delivery he would make on November 27, 2021, would also be his last.

As Fields approached the home and stepped onto the porch to make his delivery, the porch collapsed, leaving him unconscious and trapped by debris. Emergency responders were dispatched to the residence, and despite their best efforts to revive Fields, it was sadly too late. He was later pronounced dead at Reid-Health Connersville Hospital. While the exact circumstances surrounding what caused the porch to collapse are unknown, the authorities ruled Fields’s death an accident, and no criminal charges were filed.^[1]

9 Joshua Ungersma

Thirty-seven-year-old Joshua Ungersma of Lafayette, Indiana, was a hard-working, dedicated father. He was employed by Payless Supermarkets for over 10 years and took on a second-shift job with Domino’s, delivering pizza to support his wife and children during the pandemic. Sadly, his strong work ethic and willingness to support his family would cost him his life.

When Ungersma attempted to make a pizza delivery on August 31, 2020, to 17-year-old Jaelynn Billups and her 19-year-old boyfriend Alberto Vanmeter, things took a turn for the worst, and Ungersma was shot to death. However, when police arrived on the scene, they found both Ungersman and Vanmeter dead and Billups with a 9mm in her hands.

While Billups originally claimed the two men had shot each other, two other witnesses later testified that they saw Billups shoot Ungersman after he stated the couple had tried to rob him and asked the witnesses to call for help. Vanmeter had already been shot at this time. Billups later changed her story and stated she shot Ungersman “in the heat of the moment” after he killed her boyfriend. Billups was sentenced to 50 years in prison, and while we may never know the exact details that led up to the two men’s deaths, one fact remains—an innocent husband and father lost his life much too soon and over something as simple as a pizza order.^[2]

8 Kyle Hinkle

Eighteen-year-old Kyle Hinkle of Orange Park, Florida, was a delivery driver for Five Star Pizza and finished his scheduled delivery on the afternoon of September 5, 2015. While this seemed like any other day at work, the events that would ensue on his commute afterward are ones he will surely never forget.

After leaving the customer, Hinkle was hit by an 86-year-old man who turned directly in his path. Hinkle tried to avoid the elderly driver but was unable to, and his car was sent into flight, where he later landed on top of two other vehicles parked across the street at a Texas Roadhouse. As scary as the incident was, thankfully, neither driver was hurt.^[3]

7 Eryx Lynch

Twenty-year-old Eryx Lynch of Murray, Utah, was a shy young man who had endured a rough childhood. However, despite his circumstances, Lynch had big dreams and took a job delivering pizza for Domino’s in May of 2022 to help him pay for college. Unfortunately, he had only been on the job for one week when an error in judgment proved fatal.

On the evening of May 7, 2022, Lynch was making a delivery on his e-bike when he attempted to cross over a set of train tracks, even though the gate arm was down. As Lynch began to cross, he was struck by a train. Since Domino’s ended its “30 minutes or less” guarantee back in 1993, it is unclear what factors may have caused Lynch to take such an extreme risk. Regardless, Lynch’s sudden death will forever leave a hole in his family’s heart.^[4]

6 Cole Venables

Twenty-eight-year-old Cole Venables was a pizza delivery driver in Hopkins, Minnesota. On the evening of April 9, 2021, Venables struck and killed a pedestrian while en route to a delivery after “falling asleep” behind the wheel. However, 26-year-old Olivia DeMeuse’s death was no accident at all.

Authorities concluded that Venables was under the influence of narcotics, and he admitted to taking “Xanax, Suboxone, and benzos” prior to his shift. It was also later discovered that Venables had previous convictions of driving while impaired, so it is unclear how he was allowed to drive for the pizza chain. On February 24, 2022, Venables pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide and was sentenced to a one-year term at the Hennepin County Workhouse (although he was credited 92 days for the time he previously served), as well as five years of probation.^[5]

5 Highway Pizza

We’ve all heard the slogan “It’s not delivery. It’s DiGiorno,” right? Well, in this particular case of a pizza delivery gone wrong, the headline reads, “It’s not delivery… it’s all over Interstate 30.” On August 9, 2017, a semi-truck was en route through Little Rock, Arkansas, to deliver both DiGiorno and Tombstone pizzas. Unfortunately, when the top of the semi-trailer hit the overpass, the trailer detached and was ripped open, and a wave of pizzas spewed across the interstate.

While it took transportation officials four hours to clean up the roadways, thankfully, no one, other than the pizzas, was hurt.^[6]

4 Juan Cristalinas

While 49-year-old Juan Cristalinas had an intimidating outer appearance, he was nothing other than a loving, kind-hearted husband, father, and grandfather. However, one simple act of charity on his part was met with violence.

Cristalinas held several different jobs, which included working as a mechanic as well as a pizza delivery driver for Domino’s, in order to be able to provide for his family. However, when Cristalinas didn’t return from a delivery in Stanton, California, on the evening of June 28, 2022, police were dispatched to the delivery address, where they found both Cristalinas and an unnamed elderly gentleman. Both had been shot and were taken to the hospital. Cristalinas was later pronounced dead, but the 76-year-old was in stable condition. The investigation into what occurred that tragic night is still under investigation. But it is believed that Cristalinas stopped to assist the elderly man and was shot while trying to be a good Samaritan.^[7]

3 Tara Miller

Tara Miller of Regina, Saskatchewan, had been a long-time customer of her local Domino’s, so when she got a craving for pizza on May 29, 2021, she placed an order as usual. Her pizza was delivered as expected, and Miller spent the afternoon sharing the pizza with her friends. While being surrounded by good friends and good food is invaluable, it wasn’t until her company was gone that Miller realized the true cost of that day’s meal.

Miller later checked her bank account only to discover that every cent in her account was gone. Naturally, Miller went in person to the Domino’s store in hopes of resolving the matter. However, the staff advised Miller that according to their records, the order she placed was for pick-up versus delivery. Overwhelmed and upset, Miller continued to plead her case that she had indeed placed a delivery order. It was later discovered that an unknown man had come in and picked up Miller’s order without her knowledge. He was also the same man who later delivered the pizza to her.

Fraudsters were posing as employees, and while they were delivering orders, they were also obtaining customers’ financial information when orders were paid for by either credit or debit cards upon arrival. Sadly, Miller was also not the only customer in the area to fall prey to this scam.

Thankfully, Miller’s bank reimbursed her for the fraud, and the Domino’s manager assisted in providing evidence to the police in hopes of catching the perpetrator. Given this experience, Miller will certainly never look at ordering pizza the same way again.^[8]

2 Pizza Hut Driver

An unidentified Pizza Hut delivery driver was making his last delivery of the night on January 21, 2020, when he witnessed an accident and pulled over to check on those involved. However, the driver’s honorable act would later lead him on a high-speed chase with the police.

After seeing 25-year-old Elpidio Cruz Jr and a two-year-old boy on the side of the road, the driver stopped to ensure they were okay. Around the same time, an officer arrived on the scene, and it was at that moment, rather than showing gratitude towards the delivery driver, Cruz pulled out a gun, climbed into his backseat along with the young boy, and forced the driver to flee the scene.

Cruz was on parole and was willing to do anything in his power not to go back to prison, so he demanded that the driver evade capture at any cost. The 20-minute chase ended at the home of 23-year-old Brena Riojas, who was also the little boy’s mother. Cruz again fled the scene and is still wanted by police. While the driver was not harmed, this terrifying pizza delivery is one that is sure to haunt him forever.^[9]

1 Au Naturel Pizza Customer

An unnamed female delivery driver for Domino’s was making a seemingly normal delivery to a customer on March 20, 2019. When she arrived, the gentleman was waiting outside, and his food was delivered without any issues. However, the male customer must have been intrigued by the driver as he began flirting and, later that afternoon, placed a second order.

When the same driver arrived again at the customer’s residence, the man opened the door, but this time she was met with a shocking sight—he was “almost naked.” The indecent man tried to coerce the driver inside, but she left immediately after seeing this pizza pervert.^[10]