Italian Museum Chair Broken: Tourist Damage
A tourist couple’s actions have caused damage at the Palazzo Maffei in Verona, Italy, with security footage revealing a crystal-covered chair, the “Van Gogh” chair, being broken. Museum officials are now urging greater respect for art, highlighting the incident to promote responsible engagement. The chair, adorned with Swarovski crystals, has been fully restored, and a campaign is underway to educate visitors—the primary_keyword being “art damage” and offering the secondary_keyword, “museum incident.” The local police are now involved. News Directory 3 has full coverage of the unfolding story, so learn the importance of art preservation. Discover what’s next regarding the museum’s plans to improve security and visitor awareness!
Italian Museum Urges Respect After Tourist Couple Breaks Art Chair
Updated June 15, 2025
The Palazzo Maffei in Verona, Italy, is calling for greater respect for art after a tourist couple damaged a crystal-covered chair. The incident, captured on security video, shows the pair posing with Nicola Bolla‘s “Van Gogh” chair before one of them appeared to slip and break it.
The “Van Gogh” chair is an art piece covered in hundreds of Swarovski crystals. Museum officials said the couple left the scene without reporting the damage. The museum shared the video on social media, lamenting the situation.
Local police have been notified about the incident, according to the BBC.The couple remains unidentified. Vanessa Carlon, the museum director, emphasized the importance of considering the consequences when interacting with art. “Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don’t think about the consequences,” Carlon said.
Despite the damage, the museum was able to restore the chair, and it is indeed now back on display. Carlotta Menegazzo, an art historian at the Palazzo Maffei, noted that while the chair may appear sturdy, its frame is mostly hollow.A sign was present, warning visitors not to touch the exhibit.
The museum hopes the incident will serve as a reminder of the value of art and the respect it deserves. The palazzo Maffei, wich opened in 2020, houses 650 pieces.
What’s next
The museum plans to enhance security measures and continue its campaign to promote responsible engagement with art among visitors. The incident underscores the delicate balance between accessibility and preservation in cultural institutions.