Tourist sits on art work, breaks Swarovski crystal-covered ‘Van Gogh' chair in Italian museum. Watch
A tourist couple is under fire after they caused significant damage to a valuable art piece at the Palazzo Maffei Museum in Verona, Italy. According to a statement released on the museum's Facebook page, two visitors were admiring the 'Van Gogh' chair by Italian artist Nicola Bolla, a striking artwork inspired by Vincent van Gogh's iconic 1888 paintings and adorned with thousands of Swarovski crystals.
The incident unfolded when a museum guard stepped out of the room, and the couple began clicking photos near the chair. Viral CCTV footage shows the woman first pretending to sit on the chair for a photo. Moments later, the man tries to imitate her, but instead of just posing, he sits on the artwork, making it collapse immediately.
As the video progresses, the woman then rushes to help him to his feet, and the two quickly exit the room before the museum staffer returns.
Watch here:
Tourist caught-on-camera smashing Nicola Bolla's 'Van Gogh' chair, a very delicate work, entirely covered in hundreds of Swarovski crystals pic.twitter.com/S7N9VzvDfF
— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) June 16, 2025
The video prompted a wave of reactions. A user said: 'Fire the curator of the exhibit immediately. Absolutely no protection for art like this is unacceptable. It is a CHAIR in an open room, and you didn't expect a SINGLE, not one person, to attempt to sit on it.' Another user commented, 'This is why they have to put museum relics behind cages now. Because these idiots exist.'
According to People magazine, the museum condemned the couple's behaviour, calling them irresponsible. 'They ignored every rule of respect for art and cultural heritage,' the museum wrote on Facebook. The museum also confirmed that the artwork had since been successfully repaired. 'For days we didn't know if it would be possible to restore it. But we did it. A heartfelt thanks goes to the police, our security department, and the restorers, whose precious work allowed the work to be recovered,' the statement read.
The museum also expressed gratitude to the majority of its visitors, who treat art with respect, 'And a special thanks to all of you who walk through the museum's halls every day with care, attention, and wonder. Because art is not just to be seen. It is to be loved. It is to be protected.'
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