A young visitor has caused damage to a 1960 Mark Rothko painting valued at roughly €50 million (around $56 million) at the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum in Rotterdam. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the museum confirmed that Rothko’s Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8 suffered “superficial damage” after a child touched the artwork. The child left visible scratches in the unvarnished paint layer near the bottom.
While the museum refrained from identifying the child or their parents, it stated that conservation experts both in the Netherlands and abroad have been consulted. “We are researching the best course of action and expect the painting will be viewable again in the future,” the museum said.
Previously praised by curator Saskia as “a meditative and striking color landscape” in a March 31 Instagram post, the Rothko piece holds significant cultural value. However, Boijmans Van Beuningen declined to disclose the estimated repair costs or whether the child’s family would be liable.
Art News notes Mark Rothko’s market legacy, with his works frequently selling for millions, including a record $86.9 million in 2012 for Orange, Red, Yellow.
This incident recalls a 2011 mishap at the same museum, when visitors accidentally damaged the Peanut Butter Platform installation. According to DutchNews.nl, spokeswoman Sharon Cohen explained at the time that those responsible were expected to cover cleanup costs, emphasizing a policy of accountability for damaged artworks.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
