Couple Breaks Expensive Art Chair in Italian Museum: Viral Video Shows the Act

Verona Museum Vandalism: Couple Breaks Swarovski-Encrusted Chair, Video Goes Viral Verona, Italy — A seemingly innocuous visit to the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona took an unexpected turn when a couple was caught on camera damaging a piece of art. Security footage, which has since gone viral, shows a man deliberately breaking a chair encrusted with Swarovski crystals, an artwork titled 'Van Gogh' by artist Nicolla Bolla. The incident occurred on June 15th, 2025. The video shows the man and his companion initially observing the chair before the man abruptly sits on it, causing it to break. The pair then calmly leave the room without notifying museum staff. The museum's Facebook post expressed their dismay, stating, "The nightmare of every museum has come true." However, they also confirmed that the chair has been successfully restored. "We decided to publish the images to remind everyone how fragile art is and the importance of taking care of it," said a representative from the Palazzo Maffei. The incident highlights the vulnerability of art pieces in public spaces and the challenges museums face in protecting their collections. While the couple's motives remain unclear, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for responsible behavior in cultural institutions.