In a stunning incident that has captured the attention of art lovers and social media users alike, a delicate art installation at the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy, was severely damaged by a tourist attempting to pose for a photograph. The artwork, a crystal-encrusted chair inspired by Vincent van Gogh's famous painting of a simple wooden chair, was shattered when a male visitor sat on it rather than merely pretending to do so, as his female companion did.
The chair, created by Italian artist Nicola Bolla, is adorned with hundreds of Swarovski crystals, making it a fragile and exquisite piece that serves as a centerpiece in the museum's collection. Despite clear signage and its placement on a pedestal, the man ignored the rules forbidding contact with the exhibit. Surveillance footage released by the museum shows the man losing his balance as the chair collapsed beneath him, causing him to stumble and grab a nearby wall in a desperate attempt to steady himself.
Following the accident, the couple hastily left the room before museum staff could intervene. The Palazzo Maffei publicly condemned the incident on social media, describing the tourists’ actions as “superficial” and “disrespectful.” The museum also revealed that the visitors had waited until the security personnel left the room before attempting the photograph, flagrantly disregarding the rules protecting the artwork.
Vanessa Carlon, the museum director, expressed her frustration, 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 reportedly occurred in April 2025, with the museum releasing the footage publicly on June 12, 2025, in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of respecting art.
Art historian Carlotta Menegazzo provided insight into the chair’s delicate construction, noting that while it appears sturdy, the frame is mostly hollow and held together with foil. The chair’s fragility is compounded by the thousands of machine-cut glass Swarovski crystals covering it, making it vulnerable to damage from even slight pressure. Despite the damage—two legs and the main seat were broken—the museum's restoration experts managed to repair the chair within a few days, restoring it to its former glory.
The Palazzo Maffei, which opened in 2020, houses a rich collection of 650 pieces, including works by Picasso and ancient Egyptian artifacts. The museum expressed gratitude to the police, internal security, and restoration professionals who worked swiftly to recover the damaged piece. However, the cost of the restoration has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether the couple responsible will face any legal or financial consequences.
The museum’s social media posts emphasized the importance of respecting art and cultural heritage, urging visitors to appreciate and protect these treasures rather than treat them as mere props for photographs. “We want to transform this episode into an opportunity to reflect and raise public awareness: art must be admired, experienced, but above all respected. Always,” Palazzo Maffei stated.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many users condemning the tourists’ behavior as ignorant and irresponsible. Comments ranged from calls for the couple to be held accountable to laments about the growing trend of “tourism for photos” rather than genuine appreciation of art and culture. One user wrote, “Idiots! I hope they are reported!” while another lamented, “So much ignorance, this is unacceptable!” Others highlighted the need for better protective measures around fragile exhibits, suggesting that barriers or ropes might prevent similar accidents in the future.
This episode is not the first time Van Gogh’s legacy has been caught in the crossfire of careless acts. Earlier incidents, such as protests involving the throwing of soup cans over Van Gogh’s famous sunflower painting, have also drawn attention to the vulnerability of treasured artworks. Yet, unlike deliberate acts of vandalism, this accident underscores the risks posed by uninformed or reckless visitors eager to capture the perfect photo.
In response to the incident, the museum has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the value of art and the respect it deserves. The campaign aims to educate visitors on the fragility of artworks and the responsibility each person has to preserve cultural heritage for future generations.
As for the “Van Gogh” chair itself, the restoration team’s success has brought relief to museum staff and art enthusiasts. “For days we didn’t know if it would be possible to restore it. But we did it,” a museum representative said in a Facebook post. “A heartfelt thanks goes to the police, our security department and the restorers, whose precious work allowed the work to be recovered.”
While the chair now shines again, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between public access to art and the need to protect it. Museums worldwide face similar challenges as visitors increasingly seek unique and shareable experiences, often blurring the line between appreciation and exploitation.
Palazzo Maffei hopes this incident will prompt a broader conversation about museum etiquette and the importance of safeguarding cultural treasures. “Art is not just for seeing. It is to be loved. It is to be protected,” the museum concluded.
