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4mo ago

Child Accidentally Scratches $50 Million Rothko Painting at Rotterdam Museum

The unvarnished artwork, 'Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8,' is undergoing restoration as experts assess repair costs and explore treatment options.

"Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8" (inset) sustained some visible scratches when a child brushed against the abstract painting at the Depot (main), a public storage area of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam.. (Photo by Robin Utrecht/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images; boijmans.nl)
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‘Art handlers’ van Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen installeren Rothko’s Grey, Orange on Maroon, No.8 (1960) in het Stedelijk Museum Schiedam.
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Overview

  • The painting sustained visible scratches in its lower unvarnished paint layer after a child brushed against it during an unsupervised moment at Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen.
  • Museum officials confirmed the damage was accidental and not an act of vandalism, with the artwork now moved to the conservation lab for treatment research.
  • Experts estimate restoration costs could range between $50,000 and $150,000, highlighting the challenges of repairing unvarnished modern artworks.
  • The incident has reignited discussions about the risks of open-access display policies, which prioritize public engagement but expose artworks to potential damage.
  • The museum has not disclosed valuation, security, or insurance details, citing standard European museum policies, but the painting is estimated to be worth $50 to $60 million.