In brief
During an unguarded moment, Rothko’s Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8 received superficial scratches that have raised concerns over the fragility of modern artworks. The museum is now evaluating the next steps for treatment, expecting the piece to be viewable again in the future.
In an unfortunate incident at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, a child has damaged the esteemed abstract painting Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8, created by acclaimed American artist Mark Rothko. Valued at approximately €50 million (£42.5 million), the artwork suffered minor superficial scratches during an “unguarded moment,” as confirmed by a spokesperson for the museum.According to reports from the Dutch media outlet Algemeen Dagblad, the damage mostly impacts the unvarnished paint present in the lower part of the painting. In response to the incident, the museum has sought conservation expertise domestically and internationally to outline treatment options for restoring the artwork.Experts have highlighted that modern unvarnished paintings like Rothko’s are especially susceptible to damage due to their unique materials, which complicates restoration efforts. Conservation manager Sophie McAloone indicated that even minor damages might significantly affect the viewer’s experience of such artworks.The Rothko piece was part of an exhibition within the museum’s Depot, an accessible storage facility designed to provide public insight into the gallery's collection. The incident has drawn attention to ongoing conversations around art access in institutions considering opening archives, as pointed out by Jonny Helm from an art restoration service.Historically, Rothko’s works have not been immune to damage; another of his paintings, Black on Maroon, was vandalized at London’s Tate Modern in 2012, leading to lengthy restoration efforts. Rachel Myrtle from Aon, a fine art insurance broker, noted that such policies typically cover damages, including those caused by visitors, while adding that museums usually conduct thorough investigations into any incident.Though the museum refrained from commenting on potential liability for the damage, past practices suggest they may charge visitors for causing harm to artworks. In 2011, a tourist was asked to pay for mending another piece after accidentally stepping on it.The art world faces ongoing challenges regarding the safeguarding of invaluable pieces, especially in family-friendly environments where children's actions can lead to unintended consequences. As seen in other recent incidents, such as an accidental destruction of a historical jar in Israel, museums have adopted varying responses, often leaning toward leniency when children are involved. As the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen continues to assess the Rothko incident, experts and stakeholders stress the importance of balancing access to art with the necessary preservation efforts to ensure the longevity of such irreplaceable works.
