Tourist Damages Art, Museum Launches Respect Campaign

A tourist at the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy, damaged Nicola Bolla's Swarovski crystal-covered 'Van Gogh' chair by sitting on it for a photo, despite explicit warnings not to touch the artwork. Security footage revealed that the man deliberately waited for the room to empty before sitting, while his companion only pretended and both left without alerting staff. The museum condemned the act as disrespectful, pointing to broader issues of art appreciation in the age of social media. Although initially feared irreparable, the chair was restored by museum staff, police, and restoration experts. The tourists involved have not yet been identified, and their potential legal or financial consequences remain uncertain. In response, the museum has launched a campaign to promote respect for art and cultural heritage.