Child Causes €50 Million Damage to Rothko Painting in Rotterdam Museum

The Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is assessing the damage to Mark Rothko's painting and potential restoration processes.

A child has inadvertently damaged Mark Rothko's painting, "Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8," valued at approximately €50 million (£42.5 million), during an unguarded moment at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. Museum officials disclosed that the incident resulted in "superficial" damage, primarily small scratches to the unvarnished paint layer, which are particularly noticeable on Rothko's modern artwork due to the nature of its materials and flat color fields.

The museum is currently consulting conservators both domestically and internationally to determine the next steps for the painting’s treatment. A spokesperson indicated that they expect the work to be displayed again in the future. Sophie McAloone, a conservation manager, explained that Rothko's modern paintings are highly susceptible to damage, which can significantly impact the viewer's experience.

Marketing manager at art restoration service Plowden & Smith, Jonny Helm, highlighted concerns regarding potential implications for other institutions, especially as galleries worldwide explore greater transparency with their collections. He noted the complexity of restoring Rothko's works due to their unique composition and unvarnished surfaces.

This isn't the first instance of damage to a Rothko. In 2012, vandals targeted Rothko's "Black on Maroon" at London's Tate Modern, leading to extensive repairs. After accidents occur in galleries, fine art insurance companies typically conduct thorough evaluations of damage, which may include reviewing surveillance footage and determining liability, though the museum has not confirmed details regarding accountability in this latest incident.

Interestingly, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has a history of charging visitors who cause artwork damages, which raises questions about their policies with young visitors. As other incidents involving damaged artwork have surfaced recently in the Netherlands, the ongoing scrutiny of museum practices regarding artwork safety and visitor interaction becomes ever more relevant.