Holiday Ayo - 

An unfortunate incident involving a pair of Italian tourists has gone viral after a crystal art chair titled Van Gogh, worth over $50,000 (approximately IDR 814 million), was destroyed due to negligence. The event, caught on surveillance cameras, quickly spread across social media platforms.

The incident occurred at Palazzo Maffei, an art museum in Verona, Italy. CCTV footage shows a woman sitting on the chair for a photo without causing damage. However, when her partner attempted to pose similarly, he slipped and fell onto the chair, shattering its delicate structure.

According to local authorities, the couple promptly left the scene after the incident but later reported the matter to the police. The case is currently under investigation.

Museum director Vanessa Carlon expressed her disappointment. “People often get carried away while taking photos and don’t consider the consequences,” she said, as quoted by Cibercuba on Tuesday (June 17, 2025).

Although the incident occurred in April, the museum only released the footage on June 12, 2025, aiming to raise visitor awareness about the importance of protecting art pieces.

The chair was created by Italian artist Nicola Bolla using Swarovski crystals, featuring a specialized cutting and polishing technique. It was designed as a piece of art, not for practical use, and was displayed on a platform with clear signage warning visitors not to touch it.

Art historian Carlotta Menegazzo from Palazzo Maffei explained that while the chair may appear sturdy, its internal structure is mostly hollow, reinforced only with a thin layer of aluminum. “The chair was clearly not meant to be sat on,” she emphasized.

As a result of the incident, two chair legs and the main seat were damaged. Fortunately, restoration efforts have been successful, and the artwork has since been returned to public display.