Tourist breaks "Van Gogh"s chair" in Verona

In the Italian museum Palazzo Maffei in Verona, a tourist destroyed a crystal masterpiece - a modern interpretation of "Vincent's Chair with Pipe".

As reported by TUT.AZ with reference to CNN, the dramatic incident occurred when a visitor decided to sit on the exhibit for an impressive photograph. Surveillance cameras recorded how two tourists - a man and a woman - took turns posing near the valuable installation. At some point, the man sat on the crystal chair, which could not withstand the load - the seat cracked, and the front legs collapsed under the weight of the unfortunate photographer. After the incident, the couple hastily left the exhibition hall.

The creator of the destroyed artwork is the famous Italian artist Nicola Bolla. His "Van Gogh chair," made in 2006-2007, was skillfully decorated with hundreds of Swarovski crystals. The work represents a creative reinterpretation of Van Gogh's famous 1888 painting depicting a simple wooden chair.

"What you just saw would be funny if, unfortunately, it hadn't actually happened. This is the worst nightmare for any museum," commented museum director Vanessa Carlon on the incident. Initially, there were serious concerns that the fragile structure would be impossible to restore, however, talented restorers managed to return the artwork to its original appearance.

The identity of the violator has not yet been established. The museum has handed over the case materials to the police.