In April, a unique piece of art at the Palazzo Maffei in Italy suffered damage when a visitor accidentally broke it. The chair, created by artist Nicola Bolla, is decorated with sparkling Swarovski crystals and is inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s famous painting of a simple chair. The museum shared footage of the incident on June 12 to remind everyone about the importance of respecting art.
This stunning chair, which has no official price tag, is more than just a beautiful object. Carlotta Menegazzo, an art historian at the Palazzo, explained that while it looks strong, its frame is mostly hollow and held together with foil. There was even a note on the chair warning people not to touch it, and it was placed on a pedestal to show that it wasn’t meant for sitting.
After the incident, two legs and the main seat were damaged. However, Ms. Menegazzo mentioned that the restoration team did a fantastic job, and the chair is now back on display. The Palazzo Maffei opened its doors in 2020 and showcases around 650 pieces of art, including works by Picasso and artifacts from ancient Egypt.
Museum director Ms. Carlon expressed hope that the release of the CCTV footage would not lead to negative perceptions. She emphasized that most visitors are respectful and urged everyone to appreciate art in a caring way. "Art must be respected and loved because it is very fragile," she said.
This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate nature of art and the need for visitors to treat it with care and respect.