Child Damages Prized Mark Rothko Painting at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Last Friday, April 25, a child caused damage to a highly valued Mark Rothko painting on display at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. The painting in question is Rothko’s “Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8” (1960), considered a significant piece in the museum’s collection.
According to a statement released by the museum to Hyperallergic, the lower part of the painting now shows small scratches in the unvarnished paint layer due to the child touching the artwork. Conservation experts have been consulted both locally and internationally to determine the best course of action for restoration.
“We are currently exploring options for treating the painting and anticipate that it will be possible to exhibit it again in the future,” the statement mentioned. However, the museum declined to share images of the damage or disclose details regarding the painting’s value and potential restoration costs.
The incident was first reported by the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (AD), stating that the mishap occurred during an unsupervised moment while the painting was part of the Lievelingen exhibition at the Depot, the museum’s accessible art storage facility during its renovation period.
Acquired by the museum in 1970, the same year Rothko passed away, “Grey, Orange on Maroon” is now estimated to be worth $40–$50 million, as per AD. The painting was a highlight of the Stedelijk Museum’s Rothko & Me exhibition in Amsterdam from 2019 to 2020, where visitors could experience 10 minutes of private, device-free time with the artwork in a dedicated room.
