A couple's playful antics resulted in the destruction of a valuable art piece at the Palazzo Maffei in Verona, prompting a serious discussion on the respect and care owed to artistic installations.
Couple's Carelessness Damages Priceless Art Chair at Italian Museum
Couple's Carelessness Damages Priceless Art Chair at Italian Museum
An Italian museum calls for art respect after a couple broke a crystal-encrusted chair featured in their exhibits.
An incident at the Palazzo Maffei in Verona has sparked outrage as a couple inadvertently destroyed a crystal-covered chair created by artist Nicola Bolla, sparking a plea from museum officials for visitors to be more respectful of art. The incident, which occurred in April but has only recently come to light, was captured on CCTV footage released by the museum. In the video, the couple is seen posing for photos near the so-called "Van Gogh chair" before the man, seemingly losing his balance, falls onto the chair and breaks it, causing significant damage. The chair, adorned with hundreds of Swarovski crystals, was meant to be a homage to Van Gogh's iconic paintings, but its fragility was underscored by the mishap.
Museum director Vanessa Carlon expressed frustration, stating that while accidents can happen, the couple's decision to flee without reporting the incident raises concerns about their accountability. "Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don't think about the consequences," she acknowledged, urging the public to treat art with the consideration it deserves. The damaged chair suffered broken legs and compromised seating but has since been restored and returned to its display.
Art historian Carlotta Menegazzo emphasized that the chair, though visually sturdy, had a hollow frame constructed from foil, which contributed to its vulnerability. The museum has a strict policy against touching artwork, a guideline that was disregarded in this case. Following this incident, Carlon hopes that sharing the footage will encourage a more respectful approach in art spaces rather than deter visitors, stating, "Art must be respected and loved because it is very fragile." Since its opening in 2020, the Palazzo Maffei has showcased an array of art pieces, including works by renowned artists such as Picasso.
Museum director Vanessa Carlon expressed frustration, stating that while accidents can happen, the couple's decision to flee without reporting the incident raises concerns about their accountability. "Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don't think about the consequences," she acknowledged, urging the public to treat art with the consideration it deserves. The damaged chair suffered broken legs and compromised seating but has since been restored and returned to its display.
Art historian Carlotta Menegazzo emphasized that the chair, though visually sturdy, had a hollow frame constructed from foil, which contributed to its vulnerability. The museum has a strict policy against touching artwork, a guideline that was disregarded in this case. Following this incident, Carlon hopes that sharing the footage will encourage a more respectful approach in art spaces rather than deter visitors, stating, "Art must be respected and loved because it is very fragile." Since its opening in 2020, the Palazzo Maffei has showcased an array of art pieces, including works by renowned artists such as Picasso.
