A tourist in Italy damaged a valuable artwork while taking photos, causing anger at a Verona museum.
On June 16, 2025, a tourist at Palazzo Maffei in Verona, Italy, broke a unique art piece called the “Van Gogh” chair. The incident has raised concerns about respecting cultural heritage in museums worldwide.
What Happened at Palazzo Maffei
The “Van Gogh” chair, created by artist Nicola Bolla, is a stunning piece decorated with thousands of sparkling Swarovski crystals. It is inspired by a famous 1888 painting by Vincent van Gogh. The chair is a delicate and valuable artwork, meant to be admired, not touched.
According to the museum’s official statement on social media, two tourists ignored clear rules. They wanted to take photos with the chair. After a security guard left the room, the pair posed on the artwork. First, a woman pretended to sit on it. Then, a man went further and sat on the chair. The fragile piece collapsed under his weight.
The man nearly fell but grabbed the wall to steady himself. The woman helped him up, and the two quickly left the scene. Security cameras captured the entire event, which the museum later shared online.
Museum’s Reaction and Restoration Efforts
The museum was upset by the tourists’ actions. In a Facebook post, they called the behavior “disrespectful” and said the tourists ignored “every rule of respect for art and cultural heritage.”
At first, the damage seemed severe, and staff worried the chair could not be fixed. However, skilled restorers worked hard to repair it. The museum announced, “For days, we didn’t know if it would be possible to restore it. But we did it.” They thanked the police, their security team, and the restorers for saving the artwork.
The museum also praised visitors who treat art with care. “Art is not just to be seen. It is to be loved. It is to be protected,” their statement said.
Why This Matters
Museums like Palazzo Maffei preserve priceless pieces of history and culture. Artworks like the “Van Gogh” chair are fragile and can be easily damaged. When visitors ignore rules, they risk destroying items that belong to everyone.
This incident is not the first of its kind. In recent years, other museums have reported similar problems. For example:
- In 2023, a tourist damaged a historic statue in Greece while climbing it for a photo.
- In 2024, a visitor in France touched a painting, leaving permanent marks.
These events show a growing problem: some tourists prioritize photos for social media over respecting art.
Expert Insights
Dr. Maria Rossi, an art historian based in Italy, explained why such incidents are serious. “Museums are not playgrounds,” she said. “Artworks are often one-of-a-kind. If they are destroyed, we lose a piece of our shared history.”
She added that museums rely on visitors to follow rules. “Signs and guards are there for a reason. Sitting on or touching art can cause damage that takes years to fix—or may be impossible to repair.”
The museum’s security team also shared their perspective. “We work hard to protect these treasures,” said Luca Bianchi, head of security at Palazzo Maffei. “When people ignore rules, it makes our job harder and puts art at risk.”
What’s Next for Museums
The incident has sparked discussions about how museums can better protect their collections. Some ideas include:
- Stricter rules: Museums may add more signs or barriers to keep visitors at a safe distance.
- Better education: Staff could explain rules clearly when visitors enter.
- Technology: Some museums are testing sensors that alert guards if someone gets too close to an artwork.
The restored “Van Gogh” chair is now back on display, but the museum is reviewing its security measures. They hope visitors will learn from this event and show more respect.
A Call to Respect Art
This incident at Palazzo Maffei is a reminder that art is fragile and precious. Museums welcome millions of visitors each year, and most follow the rules. But careless actions by a few can cause lasting harm.
As Dr. Rossi said, “When you visit a museum, you’re not just a tourist. You’re a guardian of culture.” Moving forward, museums and visitors must work together to protect these treasures for future generations.