A tourist visiting the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona has damaged a Swarovski crystal-covered sculpture modeled after Vincent van Gogh’s famous “Chair” painting.
The incident, which took place in April but surfaced publicly on June 16, was captured on CCTV. Footage shows a couple posing for a photo in front of Nicola Bolla’s artwork, titled Van Gogh’s Chair, when the man sits on the fragile piece, causing it to collapse. He then steadies himself against a wall before walking away. Museum staff were not present in the room at the time.
The sculpture, created in 2008, was constructed from metal and aluminum and covered with thousands of Swarovski crystals. It was part of a solo exhibition dedicated to Bolla’s work, presented alongside modern and contemporary art in the museum’s collection.
Palazzo Maffei described the incident as a “nightmare,” stating that the couple ignored “every rule of respect for art and culture.” The museum reported the damage to local police and launched a restoration effort to repair the sculpture. The artwork has since been restored and returned to display.
“For days we didn’t know if it would be possible to restore it. But we did it. We are sharing this episode not only for the record, but to start a real awareness campaign on the value of art and the respect it deserves.
“A heartfelt thanks goes to the police, our security department and the restorers, whose precious work allowed the work to be recovered […] Because art is not just to be seen. It is to be loved. It is to be protected.”
Museum director Vanessa Carlon said the visitors appeared to be seeking “the perfect photo,” adding that it highlights the challenges faced by museums and galleries housing fragile works without barriers.
Authorities have not released the names or nationality of the tourists involved.
