A couple was caught on camera damaging a delicate work of art at the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy. The surveillance footage shows the pair taking pictures and pretending to sit on the “Van Gogh” chair, which is entirely covered in hundreds of Swarovski crystals. The man then sits on the chair, causing it to collapse under his weight.
The couple quickly left the room without notifying museum staff about the incident. The museum shared the footage on Facebook, highlighting the importance of respecting fragile art. “Every museum’s nightmare has come true,” they wrote.
“For days we didn’t know if it would be possible to restore it.
Tourist damages fragile art piece
But we did it.”
The “Van Gogh” chair, created by Italian artist Nicola Bolla, is a tribute to the famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh.
Despite its sturdy appearance, the chair’s frame is mostly hollow and held together with foil. A note on the chair warned visitors not to touch it, and it was placed on a pedestal to indicate that it was not a functional piece of furniture. Art historian Carlotta Menegazzo, who works at the Palazzo Maffei, stated that while the majority of visitors are considerate, this incident serves as a reminder that “anyone should enter art places, or museums, or churches, wherever art is displayed, in a more respectful way.”
Museum director Vanessa Carlon expressed her disappointment, saying, “Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don’t think about the consequences.
Of course, it was an accident, but these two people left without speaking to us – that isn’t an accident. This is a nightmare for any museum.”
The Palazzo Maffei, which opened in 2020, houses 650 pieces, including works by Picasso and ancient Egyptian art. The museum hopes that this incident will not overshadow the importance of art appreciation and respect for cultural heritage.
