An Italian museum, Palazzo Maffei in Verona, has urged the public to “respect art” after a couple damaged a unique artwork during a visit. Surveillance footage released by the museum shows a man and a woman photographing each other as they posed near a crystal-covered chair named the “Van Gogh” chair. While pretending to sit, the man lost balance and fell onto the delicate art piece, breaking it in the process. The incident went unnoticed by staff at the time as the couple quickly fled the museum, avoiding responsibility.
Museum Director Condemns Irresponsible Behavior That Damaged Priceless and Fragile Crystal Artwork
Vanessa Carlon, the museum director, expressed disappointment, emphasizing that while the fall may have been accidental, fleeing the scene was unacceptable. “This is a nightmare for any museum,” she stated, lamenting how a simple act of carelessness led to the destruction of an irreplaceable piece of art. The footage, although captured in April, was only released on June 12 as part of the museum’s efforts to raise awareness about respecting cultural heritage.
Couple Damages Priceless Crystal Chair While Posing for Photos at Italian MuseumThe damaged artwork was created by Italian artist Nicola Bolla and is adorned with Swarovski crystals. Named after Vincent van Gogh due to its visual reference to the artist’s chair painting, the piece is considered priceless by the museum, which declined to estimate its value. Though the chair may appear sturdy, its structure is fragile, being largely hollow and constructed with foil, making it unsuitable for any actual use.
Restored but Fragile Reminder That Art Must Be Treated with Utmost Respect
Art historian Carlotta Menegazzo noted that the chair had a clear warning sign advising visitors not to touch it, and it was displayed on a pedestal to discourage interaction. Despite the damage—two legs and the seat were broken—the restoration team successfully repaired the chair, which has since been returned to display. This incident serves as a stark reminder that art installations, no matter how inviting they may look, are not to be interacted with casually.
The Palazzo Maffei, home to 650 artworks ranging from Picasso paintings to ancient Egyptian pieces, emphasizes the need for visitors to behave responsibly in spaces that house fragile art. Director Carlon expressed her hope that the release of the footage won’t cast a negative light on the museum but instead reinforce the message that art requires reverence. She concluded by stressing that art, in all its forms, is delicate and deserves love and respect from everyone.