Tourist Breaks Crystal Italian Museum Piece Then Makes Hasty Exit, Netizens Guess Where They’re From

Two tourists visiting a museum in Italy were caught on a security camera breaking a crystal-covered art exhibit.

The “delicate” chair, covered with hundreds of Swarovski crystals on display in Verona’s Palazzo Maffei, was positioned under a CCTV camera and collapsed when one of the visitors sat on it for a photo.

The incident sent the museum into crisis mode, prompting intervention from law enforcement.

No information on the identities of individuals responsible for the damage has been shared, but the internet is sure of their nationality.

The Museum says that the culprits made it less of an accident by not owning up

Van Gogh self-portrait with swirling blue background, featured in Italian gallery linked to crystal-covered chair incident.

Image credits: Vincent van Gogh

In a post on Instagram, the Museum called on its patrons to “respect its art,” after lashing out at the perpetrators, saying: “sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don’t think about the consequences.”

Although the museum only went public with the incident on June 12, some believe the chair was broken in April.

Tourists gather in an Italian gallery courtyard near historic architecture, with a crystal-covered Van Gogh chair displayed inside.

Image credits: Palazzo Maffei

The organization’s director, Vanessa Carlon, indicated that the individuals made their infraction worse by not owning up to their blunder. 

She said: “Of course it was an accident, but these two people left without speaking to us – that isn’t an accident.” 

The museum initially thought they would were unable to repair the chair

Tourist sitting on crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery with another visitor standing nearby taking photos.

Image credits: Palazzo Maffei

The organization posted a video of the incident to its Instagram account and captioned it with a rebuke.

The accompanying note explained that the culprits waited for security personnel to leave the room before perpetrating what it is now calling vandalism.

Tourist sitting on crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery with person reacting nearby.

Image credits: Palazzo Maffei

The chair, designed by Italian artist Nicola Bolla and named after Dutch Post-impressionist Vincent Van Gogh, was noted for being delicate.

“The result?” the post’s caption continues, “an irresponsible gesture [that] caused serious damage.”

Carlon said she was worried about whether restoring the chair would be possible.

Tourist sits on crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery, causing it to break while others react nearby.

Image credits: Palazzo Maffei

“We are sharing this episode not only for the sake of reporting, but to start a real campaign to raise awareness about the value of art and the respect it deserves,” the message concluded.

The culprits made a hasty exit when they realized what they had done

The Instagram video shows the culprits, a man and a woman, with their cameras posing around the chair while they take photos of each other. The woman goes first, but only leans over the artwork while her male companion snaps away.

Crystal-covered Van Gogh chair broken in Italian gallery with art pieces displayed on navy blue walls.

Image credits: Palazzo Maffei

When it was the man’s turn, he took it a step further and actually sat on the chair, causing its back legs to slide off the supporting pedestal, while the front two buckled.

The woman rushed forward to help her partner to his feet again before the two made a hasty exit from the otherwise empty room.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Palazzo Maffei Casa Museo (@palazzomaffeiverona)

No mention was made of the culprits being identified. Be this as it may, social media has ideas about their country of origin.

Tweet from user James Drake responding to a post about a tourist sitting on a crystal-covered Van Gogh chair.

Image credits: Panacure52997

Screenshot of a Twitter reply criticizing a tourist who broke a crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in an Italian gallery.

Image credits: ThreadedVoice

One comment: “This is exactly why Americans should stay at home. You can’t take us anywhere. Lol,” drew more than 1,400 reactions and mirrored a dominating sentiment.

Another recounted their personal experience in the European culture, noting that it was unusual that these two visitors were left unsupervised.

Crystal-covered Van Gogh chair displayed in an Italian gallery, sparkling with reflective crystals under bright lighting.

Image credits: Palazzo Maffei

“I just spent 34 days in Italy. They always have a security person watch the art. This is weird, no one is around,” they wrote.

Another group on social media found fault with the Museum, pointing out that the artefact was neither behind glass nor behind a cordon, making it difficult to know that it was an exhibit.

Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery with crystal details, tourist accident causes damage and breaks artwork.

Image credits: Vincent van Gogh

“I mean, if you put a chair somewhere, you gotta think that someone would actually use it as one. If you don’t want it to be used, then how about putting it behind glass or something,” wrote one person on Facebook.

The chair has been restored to its former glory

Tourist inside Italian gallery with ornate ceiling and neon signs in blue, related to Van Gogh chair exhibit.

Image credits: Palazzo Maffei

The museum has since indicated that the chair has been repaired. It reached out, extending thanks to members of their security team and the law enforcement community at the restaurant in the area.

It is unclear how these entities contributed to the artefact’s restoration.

Many believe the chair should have been cordoned off

Tweet questioning why the Italian gallery left the crystal-covered Van Gogh chair unguarded and unmarked.

Image credits: mask_bastard

Tourist sitting on crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery accidentally breaks the artwork during visit.

Image credits: Ryzen65701795

Tourist sitting on crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery, breaking the valuable art piece.

Image credits: JChmura39

Tweet commenting on lack of rope barrier around crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery before it was broken by tourist.

Image credits: X_1Time

Tourist sitting on crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery, accidentally breaking the art piece.

Image credits: JollyRogX

Tweet by Arzu Güngör reacting humorously about people running away after breaking the crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italy.

Image credits: avarzugungor

Tweet by Marty Garrison criticizing museum management over a crystal-covered Van Gogh chair left accessible to tourists.

Image credits: MartyGarrison

Tourist sitting on crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery causing it to break.

Image credits: fluffmoney

Tourist accidentally breaks crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery while sitting on it.

Image credits: nogoodpurpose

Tourist sitting on crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery accidentally breaking the artwork.

Image credits: atlantatech

Tweet discussing concerns over a tourist sitting on and breaking a crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in an Italian gallery.

Image credits: Mrs_Gavin_Smith

Tourist sitting on crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in Italian gallery causing damage to the artwork.

Image credits: CreatureHabit2

Tweet discussing a tourist accidentally breaking a crystal-covered Van Gogh chair in an Italian gallery.

Image credits: CopiumPoppies

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