Fact Check: Similar incident occurred earlier this month, damaging artwork in Verona.

Fact Check: "Similar incident occurred earlier this month, damaging artwork in Verona."

What We Know

In June 2025, an incident occurred at the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy, where a tourist damaged a crystal-covered artwork known as the "Van Gogh" chair, created by artist Nicola Bolla. The chair, made from thousands of Swarovski crystals, was damaged when a man attempted to sit on it while posing for a photograph. Security footage captured the moment when the chair buckled under his weight, leading to significant damage (source-1, source-3). The museum publicly condemned the tourists' actions, stating they "ignored every rule of respect for art and cultural heritage" (source-3).

Following the incident, the museum confirmed that restoration efforts were successful, and the chair was back on display shortly thereafter (source-4, source-6). The museum also reported that they had contacted the police regarding the incident, although specific details about any legal actions taken were not disclosed at the time (source-4, source-8).

Analysis

The claim that a similar incident occurred earlier in the month is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times reported on the incident, confirming the timeline and the nature of the damage caused by the tourist (source-1). The incident was widely covered, with outlets like CNN and The Guardian providing details about the event and the museum's response (source-6, source-4).

The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. However, it is important to note that the framing of the incident varies across different outlets. Some media emphasized the cultural critique of modern tourism and the dangers of social media behavior (source-5), while others focused on the museum's restoration efforts and the tourists' irresponsible actions (source-7). This variance in framing could influence public perception, but the core facts remain consistent across reports.

Conclusion

The claim that a similar incident occurred earlier this month, damaging artwork in Verona, is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that a tourist damaged the "Van Gogh" chair at the Palazzo Maffei museum while attempting to take a photograph, leading to significant public and media attention regarding the importance of respecting cultural heritage.

Sources

1. Visitors Break Crystal Chair in Sit-and-Run at Italian Museum
2. 求推荐几个卡盟平台。? - 知乎
3. Crystal-covered 'Van Gogh' chair back on display after tourist crushes it
4. Tourists damage crystal-covered chair in Italian museum ...
5. Museumgoers Accidentally Break Fragile Crystal-Covered Chair Inspired ...
6. Verona museum shows moment visitor broke artwork by sitting on it - CNN
7. Tourists Caught On Camera Breaking 'Van Gogh' Chair - All That's ...
8. Tourist Sued After Damaging Crystal-Covered Art Chair at Verona Museum