Visitors Damage Van Gogh Chair by Sitting on It in Museum

Italian Artist’s Crystal Chair Damaged by Tourists

A recent art incident at Verona’s Palazzo Maffei brought attention to the risks facing museum artworks. Two tourists caused damage to Nicola Bolla’s “Van Gogh” chair sculpture, which was adorned with hundreds of Swarovski crystals. Surveillance footage captured one tourist posing as if seated on the sculpture while the other took a photo, resulting in the chair’s front legs breaking. The tourists then left the scene quickly, remaining unidentified due to blurred footage.

Created between 2007 and 2008, Bolla’s piece pays homage to Van Gogh’s 1888 painting of a chair. Fortunately, the sculpture has been restored and returned to the museum’s exhibit. Palazzo Maffei, housing 650 artworks from diverse periods, affirmed the restoration on their Facebook page.

Bolla commented on the incident, labeling it both “idiotic” and “artistic,” likening it to an impromptu performance. He expressed an interest in crafting a follow-up piece named “Buster Keaton’s Chair,” inspired by the famed comedian known for his physical comedy.

Museum Director Vanessa Carlon condemned the act as irresponsible, citing it as a curator’s worst nightmare. The tourists allegedly waited for a gap in security before executing the stunt. Carlon praised the restoration team’s efforts and affirmed the museum’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding artworks.

This episode highlights a recurring issue in Italian cultural sites, where tourist misconduct often results in damage. Measures are increasingly being implemented to protect these historical and artistic treasures from such cavalier actions.