A visitor at the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy, was captured on CCTV breaking a crystal-encrusted chair artwork by Italian artist Nicola Bolla. The man sat on the piece, titled the "Van Gogh" chair, causing it to collapse under his weight. The couple fled before staff realized the damage. Police have been notified but the suspects remain unidentified. The artwork has since been restored and is back on display.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about visitor behavior in museums, where the pursuit of viral photos can lead to accidental damage of fragile artworks. Museum director Vanessa Carlon emphasized the need to respect art, noting that while the act was likely an accident, the couple's decision to flee without reporting it was unacceptable. The story underscores the tension between public engagement and preservation in cultural institutions.