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2w ago

Child Accidentally Scratches $60 Million Rothko at Dutch Museum

The unintentional damage to the unvarnished painting has prompted an estimated $50,000–$150,000 restoration effort, reigniting discussions on open-access art display risks.

"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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Overview

  • Mark Rothko’s 'Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8,' valued at $50–$60 million, sustained visible scratches after a child brushed against it at the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam.
  • The museum confirmed the act was accidental, not vandalism, and attributed the incident to an 'unguarded moment' during the child’s visit.
  • The painting has been moved to the museum’s conservation lab, with experts in the Netherlands and abroad exploring restoration options.
  • Restoration costs are estimated between $50,000 and $150,000, with the museum expecting the painting to return to public display after repairs are completed.
  • The incident has reignited debates about the risks of displaying high-value art in open-access settings, as the Depot allows close public interaction with its collection.