When a tourist crushed a crystal replica of Van Gogh’s chair to pose for a photo, it was a wake-up call: art’s biggest threat might now be outdated security tech.
When a tourist damaged a crystal reproduction of Vincent van Gogh’s iconic chair, the art world wasn’t pleased. Not only about the broken artwork but also because of the missed opportunity to prevent the mishap, which could have been easily predicted with the help of new tech.
Museums have long been trying to balance protecting their valuable exhibits while ensuring visitors get the most wholesome experience possible.
This incident in the Palazzo Maffei museum in Verona, Italy, has now become a case study in how traditional security measures might no longer be enough. A deep-seated tourist urge for a nice picture has proven to be more important than art safety and appreciation.
It’s fair to say that the destruction of the chair had quite a timely preface. The man wasn’t even the first to attempt to take a picture while simulating sitting on it – it was his female companion. Only after she did, the man tried to do the same.
These brief seconds between intent and contact are the most critical in preventing damage.
“A non-invasive perimeter sensor paired with a contextual AI could have recognized the person’s intent and posture before the chair was touched,” says Herman DeBoard, the CEO of HUVR, which specializes in creating physical security measures through the use of sensors and AI.
‘It doesn’t just react to motion – it understands human behavior. In this case, it could have detected body language associated with someone leaning or preparing to sit and triggered a gentle auditory alert or silent ping to nearby staff before contact was made.”
According to him, the key is to intervene before contact ever happens.
“The most effective systems are predictive, not reactive,” DeBoard continues.
“Behavioral AI systems, advanced optical and thermal sensors, and real-time alerts to mobile devices or wearables for staff can prevent accidents by recognizing subtle precursors to dangerous or unwanted actions, such as erratic movement, leaning, or breaching a visual boundary, before an object is ever touched.”
What are museums doing to tackle this, and could they do it better?
Sadly, most museums rely on what security experts call “reactive measures:” velvet ropes, pressure-sensitive mats, motion detectors, CCTV, and the ever-present museum guard.
“It often boils down to three things,” DeBoard says.
“Unclear visual boundaries, lack of active staff awareness, and underestimating human curiosity. Visitors, especially those unfamiliar with art protocols, may not realize something is off-limits.”
Recent examples make a case in point. Just a couple of days ago, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, announced its plans to impose stricter museum attendance rules.
This decision comes after an incident in which a tourist damaged an 18th-century painting. While taking a selfie, the tourist tried to imitate the pose of Anton Ferdinando de’ Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany (the man in the painting). The visitor tripped on a low platform and tore a hole in the painting, which dates back to 1712.
The museum best known for its high security measures is the Louvre in France, which uses motion detectors, bulletproof glass, and limits visitor numbers for sensitive works like the Mona Lisa, which often becomes the object of protests.
The Vatican Museum in Rome has metal detectors and restricts access to some exhibition areas. It is also protected by an elite security force – the Vatican Gendarmerie Corps. They serve as the Vatican’s police and security service and handle everything from crowd control and visitor safety to protecting artworks and the Pope himself.
However, implementing advanced tech in cultural institutions isn’t always simple. Many museums, Herman notes, are hesitant to incorporate high-tech solutions due to concerns about cost, complexity, and aesthetics.
“Museums are rightfully protective of the visitor experience and the visual aesthetic of their spaces,” he says.
“Bulky cameras, obvious sensors, or loud alerts can diminish the magic.”
As of June 25th, 2025, the tourists responsible for breaking the "Van Gogh" chair at the Palazzo Maffei in Verona have not been publicly identified or found.
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