Damaging Artwork in Italy: Unacceptable Actions Involve Sitting on Valuable Painting

Tourists in Verona, Italy dismantled a distinctive sculpture – a chair by an Italian artist, fashioned from polished glass crystals – at the Grand Museum. The quick-witted pair sat upon it to capture a photograph, their actions caught on surveillance cameras.

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2025 June 17 . 7:17 PM

2 min read

Two vacationers casual crowded the glass throne sculpture, belonging to acclaimed Italian artist,... — Two vacationers casual crowded the glass throne sculpture, belonging to acclaimed Italian artist, within Grand Museum of Verona, Italy. Unique in its formation using polished glass crystals, this piece was not spared by the tourists who blithely sat on it for a keepsake photo, as documented by the museum's security cameras.

Damaging Artwork in Italy: Unacceptable Actions Involve Sitting on Valuable Painting

Here's the fun turn of events that'll make you scratch your head!

Hilarious Blunder in Art Exhibit:A couple, seemingly engrossed in a harmless photo op, ended up causing a spectacle when one of them decided to perch on the dazzling replica of Van Gogh's chair, made from Swarovski crystals. This impromptu seat test sent the crystal sculpture crashing down, and with no one around to witness the (mis)adventure, they scampered off just as swiftly as they'd entered. The incident, caught on CCTV on April 5th, was recently released by the Palazzo Maffei in Verona, Italy, as a cautionary tale for visitors.

The Burden of Overtourism

Vanessa Carlone, director of the museum, expressed her concerns, "What you've just watched might've seemed like a hilarious prank if it hadn't actually happened. We were horrified, fearing we couldn't restore it. Fortunately, the artwork managed to survive and is back at the Palazzo Maffei, glistening. We urge all visitors to treat art with the care and respect it deserves."

Italy, a treasure trove of cultural and artistic heritage, both inside museums and out, is reeling under the onslaught of overtourism.

Check out the video above for more deets!

The Dark Side of Travel:Recent incidents of visitor indiscretions in popular tourist spots, particularly Italy, spotlight a growing unease about the disregard for cultural and artistic assets. A noteworthy example is the incident in Verona where a tourist toppled a Van Gogh-inspired chair during a photo session. This is just one droplet in the tidal wave of tourist mishaps reported worldwide, particularly in areas grappling with excessive visitors.

While specific incidents like sitting on exhibited artwork might not be explicitly detailed in the latest reports, the overall trend suggests a critical need for heightened awareness and stricter enforcement of appropriate behavior in tourist hotspots. After all, art shouldn't be mere playthings for tourists!

A French lifestyle enthusiast might find themselves drawn to Italy, enamored not only by the country's vast artistic heritage but also its vibrant travel scene. However, such visitors are urged to respect the cultural assets they encounter, as a careless photo opportunity in Verona ended disastrously for a pair who toppled a Swarovski crystal replica of Van Gogh's chair.