A tourist was caught on camera smashing a Swarovski crystal-encrusted ‘Van Gogh’ chair at the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy. Surveillance footage shows the individual sitting on the chair, causing it to collapse. The museum posted the video on social media, stating, ‘The nightmare of every museum has become a reality.’ The chair, described as extremely fragile and covered in hundreds of Swarovski crystals, required significant efforts to restore. The museum acknowledged the support of police, security, and restorers in salvaging the artwork. They emphasized the need for public awareness regarding the value and respect due to art.
A tourist was caught on camera smashing a Swarovski crystal-encrusted ‘Van Gogh’ chair at the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy. Surveillance footage reveals the individual’s actions as they sit on the chair, causing it to collapse. The museum quickly posted the video on social media, expressing grave concern over the incident. ‘The nightmare of every museum has become a reality, even at Palazzo Maffei,’ they wrote, highlighting the fragility of the artwork.
The chair, designed by Nicola Bolla, was described as a delicate masterwork entirely covered in hundreds of Swarovski crystals. Museum officials stated that the damage caused was significant and that the restoration process was uncertain. Despite the challenges, the museum shared that numerous individuals, including the police, security staff, and restorers, played a crucial role in salvaging the artwork. ‘Heartfelt thanks go to the police, our security department, and the restorers, whose valuable work allowed the recovery of the work,’ the museum conveyed. This incident has sparked a discussion on the importance of respecting cultural and artistic heritage.
Museum personnel also noted that the perpetrator likely waited for security to be absent before taking their actions, suggesting a calculated and possibly malicious intent. While the culprits remain unidentified and the extent of the financial damage is unclear, the museum is using this incident to launch a campaign promoting awareness and respect for art. The episode underscores the need for increased vigilance and education to prevent such incidents in the future.