A visitor at the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy, caused significant damage to a crystal-covered chair inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s iconic painting after sitting on it for a photo.
Surveillance footage released by the museum shows a man and woman taking turns posing beside the fragile artwork, known as Van Gogh’s Chair, before the man sits on it. The chair’s seat and front legs gave way under his weight, and the pair quickly left the room.
The chair, created by Italian artist Nicola Bolla between 2006 and 2007, is encrusted with hundreds of Swarovski crystals and pays homage to van Gogh’s 1888 painting Van Gogh’s Chair. Though it may appear solid, museum officials clarified that its structure is hollow and held together with foil, making it especially delicate.
“Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don’t think about the consequences,” said Vanessa Carlon, the museum’s director. “Of course it was an accident, but these two people left without speaking to us — that isn’t an accident.”
Carlon also commented, “What you just saw would be ridiculous if it hadn’t, unfortunately, actually happened. The ultimate nightmare for any museum.”
The museum reported the April incident to police and said the identities of the individuals remain unknown. Despite initial fears that the damage would be irreparable, restorers were able to restore the piece.
“Fortunately, the piece is shining once again,” Carlon added.
Carlotta Menegazzo, an art historian at the museum, emphasized that the chair was displayed on a pedestal with a clear note advising visitors not to touch it. “While it looks sturdy, its frame is mostly hollow and kept together with foil,” she explained.
Artist Nicola Bolla commented on the incident, telling Fanpage magazine: “It was an idiotic thing to do,” but also noted, “It’s like a kind of performance. Ordinary people can do it too, not just artists.”
The museum released the video in June as a reminder for visitors to treat artwork with care. “Art must be respected and loved because it is very fragile,” Carlon said. “Anyone should enter art places, or museums or churches, wherever art is displayed, in a more respectful way.”
Palazzo Maffei, which opened in 2020, houses over 650 artworks, including masterpieces by Picasso and pieces from ancient Egypt.