A tourist visiting the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy, accidentally destroyed a fragile artwork after attempting to sit on it during a photo session. The incident was caught on surveillance video and has prompted a police investigation.
The artwork involved is titled Van Gogh’s Chair, a sculptural interpretation of the 1888 painting by Vincent van Gogh. Created by Italian artist Nicola Bolla, the piece is covered in Swarovski crystals and is part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Although it resembles a functional chair, it is a delicate installation not intended for physical use.
According to museum reports and security footage, the male tourist entered the gallery with a female companion.
The woman posed beside the artwork, while the man attempted to sit on the chair, which immediately collapsed under his weight. Both individuals left the gallery without informing staff about the incident.
Palazzo Maffei officials later discovered the damage and filed a police report in an effort to identify the tourists.
The museum stated that the chair sustained broken components but was successfully restored by professional conservators.
Following the incident, museum staff reminded the public to observe proper decorum when interacting with exhibits, especially with artworks that may appear functional but are not meant to be touched or used.
No further details have been released regarding the identity of the individuals involved. The investigation remains ongoing.
