A child has unintentionally damaged an abstract painting valued at €50 million, created by esteemed American artist Mark Rothko, at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. Officials from the museum stated they are contemplating "next steps" for repairing Rothko's Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8 following the incident, which occurred during an unmonitored moment.
Museum representatives revealed the damage was "superficial," involving minor scratches on the painting's unvarnished lower section. The renowned artwork, reportedly worth around €50 million (£42.5 million), is undergoing review, with conservation experts consulted both nationally and internationally. The museum expressed optimism that the piece could be displayed again in the future.
Sophie McAloone, conservation manager at the Fine Art Restoration Company, noted that Rothko's modern unvarnished paintings are prone to physical damage due to their unique materials and lack of protective coatings. She indicated that even minimal damage could significantly affect a viewer's experience of the artwork. Jonny Helm, a marketing manager from Plowden & Smith, underscored the challenges of restoring a Rothko, citing the complexity of its pigments and resins, alongside the fact that being unvarnished leaves it vulnerable to environmental factors.
The Rothko painting was featured in the museum’s Depot, a space designed for public access to stored artworks, as part of a display intended to showcase popular items from the gallery’s collection. Helm raised concerns about the potential implications for UK institutions, such as V&A East and the British Museum, which are considering allowing greater public access to their collections.
Art restoration typically involves extensive documentation of any damage before proceeding with potential treatment options. The museum has not provided specifics regarding liability for the Rothko damage, but it has a history of billing visitors for accidental damages to artwork; a notable instance occurred in 2011 when a tourist was charged for repairs after stepping on an artwork.
The damaged Rothko work stands as one of several high-profile incidents of art damage in the Netherlands. In another notable event last November, thieves caused damage to a collection of Andy Warhol screen prints during a robbery attempt at the MPV art gallery. Additionally, a nearby town hall recently acknowledged it likely disposed of numerous artworks, including a Warhol print, by mistake during renovations.
While policies differ among museums regarding damage caused by children, responses can vary significantly. For instance, a four-year-old boy replicating a similar mishap at an Israeli museum led to a more lenient approach, with the institution inviting the family back for a special tour shortly after the occurrence.
Museum representatives revealed the damage was "superficial," involving minor scratches on the painting's unvarnished lower section. The renowned artwork, reportedly worth around €50 million (£42.5 million), is undergoing review, with conservation experts consulted both nationally and internationally. The museum expressed optimism that the piece could be displayed again in the future.
Sophie McAloone, conservation manager at the Fine Art Restoration Company, noted that Rothko's modern unvarnished paintings are prone to physical damage due to their unique materials and lack of protective coatings. She indicated that even minimal damage could significantly affect a viewer's experience of the artwork. Jonny Helm, a marketing manager from Plowden & Smith, underscored the challenges of restoring a Rothko, citing the complexity of its pigments and resins, alongside the fact that being unvarnished leaves it vulnerable to environmental factors.
The Rothko painting was featured in the museum’s Depot, a space designed for public access to stored artworks, as part of a display intended to showcase popular items from the gallery’s collection. Helm raised concerns about the potential implications for UK institutions, such as V&A East and the British Museum, which are considering allowing greater public access to their collections.
Art restoration typically involves extensive documentation of any damage before proceeding with potential treatment options. The museum has not provided specifics regarding liability for the Rothko damage, but it has a history of billing visitors for accidental damages to artwork; a notable instance occurred in 2011 when a tourist was charged for repairs after stepping on an artwork.
The damaged Rothko work stands as one of several high-profile incidents of art damage in the Netherlands. In another notable event last November, thieves caused damage to a collection of Andy Warhol screen prints during a robbery attempt at the MPV art gallery. Additionally, a nearby town hall recently acknowledged it likely disposed of numerous artworks, including a Warhol print, by mistake during renovations.
While policies differ among museums regarding damage caused by children, responses can vary significantly. For instance, a four-year-old boy replicating a similar mishap at an Israeli museum led to a more lenient approach, with the institution inviting the family back for a special tour shortly after the occurrence.
