In a bizarre incident at the Palazzo Maffei in Verona, an art piece named after Van Gogh was damaged after a couple's reckless behavior while taking pictures.
Museum Calls for Respect After Shocking Crystal Chair Incident
Museum Calls for Respect After Shocking Crystal Chair Incident
Italian museum urges visitors to treat art with care following the destruction of a crystal-encrusted chair by a couple.
The art world was recently shaken by an incident at the Palazzo Maffei in Verona, Italy, where a couple’s misguided antics led to the destruction of a stunning chair encrusted with hundreds of crystals. In footage that has since gone viral, viewers can witness the couple taking selfies, seemingly ignoring the delicate nature of the artwork known as the "Van Gogh" chair. The man, in an attempt to impress or perhaps just for fun, slipped and fell onto the chair, which quickly succumbed to his weight and shattered beneath him.
The museum's staff, who were unaware of the incident until it was too late, expressed their deep concern for the treatment of art. The director of the museum, Vanessa Carlon, lamented, "Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don't think about the consequences." She highlighted the couple's departure from the museum without addressing the damage done, emphasizing that “this isn’t an accident.” Officials have contacted the police to investigate the situation and urged the public to take greater care when interacting with art.
The shattered chair, created by artist Nicola Bolla and adorned with Swarovski crystals, was a tribute to Van Gogh's iconic painting of a simple chair. Carlotta Menegazzo, an art historian at the museum, pointed out that while the chair may appear sturdy, its hollow frame could not withstand the impact. A clear warning note was placed on the chair, along with its positioning on a pedestal to deter visitors from treating it like a functional seat.
Despite the unfortunate event, Menegazzo reported that restoration efforts have succeeded, and the chair has been returned to its original place in the museum. With a collection of 650 pieces, including works by Picasso, Palazzo Maffei opened its doors in 2020 and quickly gained popularity as a destination for art lovers.
Director Carlon hopes that this incident will not cast a shadow over their museum. Instead, she wishes for the footage to serve as a reminder of the fragility of art. "Art must be respected and loved because it is very fragile," she stated, urging visitors to engage with artworks in a more responsible and respectful manner.
The museum's staff, who were unaware of the incident until it was too late, expressed their deep concern for the treatment of art. The director of the museum, Vanessa Carlon, lamented, "Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don't think about the consequences." She highlighted the couple's departure from the museum without addressing the damage done, emphasizing that “this isn’t an accident.” Officials have contacted the police to investigate the situation and urged the public to take greater care when interacting with art.
The shattered chair, created by artist Nicola Bolla and adorned with Swarovski crystals, was a tribute to Van Gogh's iconic painting of a simple chair. Carlotta Menegazzo, an art historian at the museum, pointed out that while the chair may appear sturdy, its hollow frame could not withstand the impact. A clear warning note was placed on the chair, along with its positioning on a pedestal to deter visitors from treating it like a functional seat.
Despite the unfortunate event, Menegazzo reported that restoration efforts have succeeded, and the chair has been returned to its original place in the museum. With a collection of 650 pieces, including works by Picasso, Palazzo Maffei opened its doors in 2020 and quickly gained popularity as a destination for art lovers.
Director Carlon hopes that this incident will not cast a shadow over their museum. Instead, she wishes for the footage to serve as a reminder of the fragility of art. "Art must be respected and loved because it is very fragile," she stated, urging visitors to engage with artworks in a more responsible and respectful manner.
