A careless tourist caused a stir at Verona’s Palazzo Maffei after sitting on and breaking a priceless artwork known as the ‘Van Gogh’ chair.
The chair, a delicate wooden seat covered in thousands of Swarovski crystals, is a tribute to the chair featured in one of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous paintings.
Surveillance footage captured the moment the tourist ignored all warnings and rules, lowering his full weight onto the fragile piece while his companion tried to pose nearby without touching it. The chair immediately shattered under the pressure, causing the man to lose his balance and grab a nearby wall to steady himself.
The couple then quickly left the gallery, leaving behind a sparkling pile of broken crystals.
Palazzo Maffei swiftly condemned their actions on social media, calling the behavior “superficial” and “disrespectful” to art and cultural heritage. They revealed the security staff had briefly stepped away, giving the tourists a chance to mishandle the artwork.
Online reactions were fierce, with many calling the pair “idiots” and demanding accountability. Questions also arose about who would cover the costly repairs and whether the culprits would be identified before leaving Italy.
Fortunately, the story ended on a hopeful note. Museum conservators worked tirelessly to restore the chair, reattaching the countless tiny crystals with help from Swarovski specialists.
A museum representative shared on Facebook: “For days, we didn’t know if it would be possible to restore it. But we did it.” He praised the efforts of police, security, and restorers who saved the artwork.
Though the museum hasn’t disclosed repair costs or if they plan to seek damages, plans are underway to increase supervision or restrict access to fragile pieces in the future.
Now fully restored, the sparkling ‘Van Gogh’ chair is back on display, shining brighter than ever.
