Poussin’s Golden Calf Attacked.

This is a photograph taken after a maniac decided to spray Poussin’s Adoration of the Golden Calf  with red paint. I’ve only just heard this afternoon, from Bendor Grosvenor’s Art History News and the Guardian, where the photo came from.

As a Poussin scholar, I’m obviously deeply shocked and saddened by this news; it’s a criminal and callous attack on an inoffensive painting that  is recognised as one of Poussin’s finest canvases of the mid 1630’s.

The information about the crime is still vague, but I gather that the perpetrator was French, and for some reason decided to vandalise a work of art produced by a fellow Frenchman. As for the motive, there doesn’t seem to be any. Here’s the report of one eye witness via the Guardian:

"He was just stood there on his own. He seemed proud of what he had done, giving a verbal protest – some kind of explanation in French as to why he had done it – and then just standing there waiting to be arrested. At no point did he try to escape.

"The security guards then came over and snatched the paint cans from him, before clearing the room. It wasn't obvious why he did it, perhaps it was some kind of protest. Maybe a protest at the nakedness of the painting. He covered it all."

Well, there isn’t really any nakedness in the painting; a few bare arms from the dancing figures, although similar figures are nude in nearby works like the Triumph of Pan. The motive for this heinous crime just isn’t known. Sadly, this isn’t the first time this painting has been the target of vandals. In 1978, a lunatic slashed the canvas with a knife, and this serious damage resulted in restoration. I’m just wondering if this nutter knew of the earlier attack and wanted to replicate it, albeit with a different weapon.

This will inevitably re-ignite debates about security in museums. While I don’t want museums to resemble banks, maybe it would be a good idea to initiate bag searches (airport style) like they have in museums like the Rijksmuseum, for example. I’m sure we’re going to be hearing a lot about such subjects in the coming months.

Meanwhile, we pray that Poussin’s Golden Calf can recover from yet another stupid act of vandalism.

Comments

[Hels]

Even for people who are not Poussin fans, this episode shows how destructive one moron can be.

I agree that the event will inevitably reignite debates about security in museums. As it should do! But bag searches won't stop a determined crusader.

The only way to protect precious art treasures is to place a thick, clear protective cover in front of the work. It would cost a fortune, but x-ray machines at gallery doors would cost even more. And it would be less invasive for the 99.99% of gallery visitors who are decent human beings.

[David Packwood]

Thanks Hels,

Yes, I think a protective surface, non-reflective glass, whatever might be the solution. We'll wait and see. I know bag searches won't really stop anybody hell bent on destruction.

Yes, all art lovers wether Poussin fans or not, wil be deeply saddened by this incident. It's just appalling.

David

[Alberti's Window]

What awful news! This reminds me a little of what Alexander Brener did to a painting by Malevich:

http://albertis-window.blogspot.com/2010/05/destroying-art-in-name-of-art.html

If you hear more on the subject, please keep us posted!

[H Niyazi]

Shocking news! I'm actually surprised to hear that such a revered work wasn't underneath glass or a protective surface to begin with - it is surely one of Poussin's most famous works.

I don't think the nudity was spark - it is not an entirely lascivious work. It's hard to know the mind of people who can bring themselves to do this. Some looking at the work without understanding its meaning could see it as a veneration of the worship of false idols. We may never know the answer.

Speaking of appalling behaviour towards art - how about that San Francisco Picasso thief - Authorities just raided his New Jersey apartment to discover enough works in there to fill a small gallery - all stolen from galleries and hotels over the last month!

More info here: http://bit.ly/n4zJW5

H

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