An Italian museum has issued a heartfelt call for visitors to show respect for art after a couple was caught on camera breaking a chair adorned with hundreds of shimmering crystals. The CCTV footage revealing the incident was released by the Palazzo Maffei in Verona. In the video, the couple is seen taking pictures as the man pretends to sit on the so-called "Van Gogh" chair—designed by artist Nicola Bolla—before slipping and obliterating it under his weight. The couple reportedly left the museum before staff were aware of the damage, prompting officials to contact the police to identify them.
Museum director Vanessa Carlon expressed her disappointment, stating, "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 incident, which took place in April, involved damage to two legs and the main seat of the chair, but fortunately, the piece has since been expertly restored and is back on display.
The chair, a tribute to Vincent van Gogh's artwork featuring a simple chair, is adorned with Swarovski crystals crafted from polished glass. Despite being an exceptional piece of art, the museum has refrained from providing an estimated monetary value, calling it somewhat priceless. Art historian Carlotta Menegazzo clarified that, while it appears sturdy, the chair's frame is primarily hollow and secured with foil, thus necessitating particular care.
New protocols to encourage respectful behavior are being considered, as Carlon hopes to ensure that this episode becomes a teaching moment rather than a negative experience. She urges visitors to appreciate art with the reverence it deserves, emphasizing its fragile nature. "Art must be respected and loved because it is very fragile," she concluded. Palazzo Maffei, which opened in 2020, features an impressive collection of 650 artworks, including pieces by renowned artists like Picasso and ancient Egyptian artifacts.
