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A visitor was recorded on closed-circuit television sitting on a crystal-adorned ‘Van Gogh’ chair display in an Italian art museum, causing it to collapse. This incident highlights the delicate balance between tourism and art preservation. The chair, a tribute to the renowned Dutch artist, was housed in the Palazzo Maffei in Verona.
Crystal-Studded Chair Damaged at Maffei Palace
The chair, an art piece celebrating the prominent Dutch painter, is situated in the Maffei Palace, Verona, and embellished with hundreds of Swarovski crystals.
Crafted by Italian artist Nicola Bolla, local news outlets have described the art installation as being ‘extremely fragile and delicate.’
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Despite its delicate nature, and with no security personnel in sight, a tourist seized the chance for a photo, disregarding the artifact’s condition.
The Incident Unfolds
Disturbing surveillance footage shows a man and a woman interacting with the striking chair in what appears to be a vacant room.
Initially, as the man photographs the woman, she feigns sitting on the chair to create an illusion.
The man then elevates the act, hovering momentarily before fully sitting on the exhibit.
The chair audibly gives, bending backward against the wall, leaving the artwork in an altered state as the pair swiftly exited the room.
As the man takes the woman’s photo, she leans in front of the chair in order to create the illusion in the photograph that she is sitting on it
But the man took this one step further, and can be seen hovering above the exhibit
He then places himself down on the chair which immediately buckles under him
The crystal-studded art is is left in a crooked state as the pair scurry out of the room
Following the event, the museum released a statement calling the event a ‘nightmare’ on their social media profiles.
The statement reads: ‘Every museum’s nightmare has become reality, even in Palazzo Maffei.’
‘While awaiting surveillance officers, some visitors opted for a staged photograph.’
‘The outcome? An irresponsible action, causing substantial damage to Nicola Bolla’s “Van Gogh” chair, a delicate piece covered entirely in precious Swarovski crystals.’
Museum’s Reaction and Restoration
Initially, the museum was in distress for days, unsure if, given the extent of the impairment, repairs were possible.
Another angle of the incident shows the man with his back against the wall as the chair buckles underneath him
However, due to ‘restorers who performed an exceptional task’ and the aid of Italian law enforcement, the museum revealed that ‘the work is shining once more.’
The museum added: ‘We share this episode to not only report, but to initiate a critical discussion about the respect artworks deserve and the significance of each.
‘We deeply appreciate our security and the diligent specialists, for their crucial work that allowed the recovery of the artifact.
‘Also, a special thank you to all of you who visit the museum, and roam the halls carefully, and full of wonder.
‘Because art is more than something to observe. It is something to cherish. It’s something to safeguard.’
Other Instances of Tourist Misbehavior in Italy
This chair mishap accompanies a series of incidents with tourists creating issues while in Italy.
Ranging from defacing relics to troubling citizens, many have faced fines and official consequences.
Here are other incidents of tourists who have caused frustration in Italy…
Hydrofoil Joyride on Venice’s Grand Canal
In a potentially hazardous scenario, two Australians sped through Venice’s Grand Canal on electric hydrofoils, costing £20,000.
Last year, the pair zipped through the main avenue of the UNESCO World Heritage Site to the annoyance of fellow sightseers and locals.
One of the hydrofoil riders was even seen using his phone as he sped through the waters of the canal.
A pair of ‘overbearing imbeciles’ have sparked fury in Venice by speeding down the city’s famous Grand Canal on £20,000 electric hydrofoils
The duo zoomed past the city’s famous monuments lining the canal as shocked locals watched on
Venice’s mayor expressed his disapproval of the stunt, demanding consequences for their actions and offering dinner in return for any assistance to identify them.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said: ‘Here are two overbearing imbeciles who make a mockery of the City.
‘I ask everyone to help us identify them to punish them even if our weapons are really blunt… the Mayors urgently need more powers in terms of public safety!
‘To whoever identifies them, I offer a dinner!’
It did not take long before the men were identified. The authorities removed the hydrofoils and reprimanded the men for endangering navigation along the canal.
There were reports that the pair was fined €3,000 and expelled from Venice.
Surfing, paddle boarding, and canoeing aren’t allowed on the Grand Canal; gondola trips and public transport boats take their place.
Plunging into Venice’s Canals
Another tourist met the fury of Venice’s mayor from a reckless dip in Venice’s waterways.
The individual caught the attention of locals when a video was put on social platforms of him jumping from a palazzo.
Wearing just boxer shorts, the man jumped from a great height and landed in waters below.
In Italian, residents shouted at him not to jump, but the man went ahead anyways.
The man appeared unscathed by the relatively harsh entrance and calmly emerged from the water.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro addressed the man’s behavior: ‘This individual should be issued a certificate of stupidity and dealt with appropriately.
‘Along with his friend, we’re seeking to fine them for making and putting the video on social media.
‘They’re trying potentially dangerous antics for social media attention.’
‘They disregard any potential risk to themselves or anyone, like a potential collision with a boat.’
According to reports, the man was extremely lucky and avoided serious injury due to the canal being drained in recent weeks.
Colosseum Vandalism Cases
Alongside the ‘Ivan + Hayley’ incident, numerous others have been observed etching in Rome’s historic Colosseum.
In January 2017, black spray paint vandalized the structure.
The name “Balto” and the word “Morte” were sprayed onto the pillar overnight.
Francesco Prosperetti, special superintendent for the Colosseum, stated, ‘We worry that this could become a game and people could start competing over it.’
In a similar event in 2014, a Russian tourist was issued a €20,000 (£1,700) fine for engraving the letter ‘K’ onto its walls.
The tourist, 42, carved a 10-inch letter into the wall with a sharp stone as a guard apprehended him.
ANSA reported that the man received a suspended four-month imprisonment.
Mariarosaria Barbera, head of administration in the Colosseum, stated that he ’caused significant damage’ and had ‘ruined the covering part of the amphitheater.’
In 2020, police apprehended an Irish tourist who carved his initials into the Colosseum.
The man was caught in the act by Colosseum’s private security and immediately reported to the police.
In January 2017, the Colosseum was vandalised with black spray paint
Archaeologist Federica Rinaldi stated that, “People who mark their name on the monument effectively believe there is an ownership over it and want to ‘claim’ it.”
Rinaldi concluded with, “The Colosseum represents the history of everyone, and should be preserved for generations.”
Trevi Fountain Skinny Dipping Case
Two British tourists got naked and entered Rome’s Trevi Fountain.
In August 2018, one of the men removed his clothes and posed in the fountain.
Nearby people recorded what the pair were doing and had various opinions.
The fountain was erected in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the unified Italy.
Two British tourists stripped and posed for photos in a fountain next to one of Rome’s most famous monuments
One of the men can be seen removing his underwear as they frolicked in the water near Altare della Patria in the Italian capital
Police said that behavior like that insulted Italians and those that fell in battle.
The tourists were set to face fines of over €400.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Italy said that, “If caught, they would be seriously punished for acting like that in Italy.”
Due to those antics, a multitude of monuments had guards up until the end of the 2018 summer.
Vice Mayor Luca Bergamo stated that local police were watching over famous sites.
He continued, saying that there was very little regard for Italian history during the event.