What happened to 10 famous paintings that were spoiled by vandals

Paintings of famous (and sometimes not very masters) sometimes have a magical effect on people. And it happens that this is not only admiration and enthusiasm, but extreme reactions. So, patients with nervous breakdowns who “reviewed” the statue of Michelangelo “David” regularly come to the Florence hospital. And there are more than a few cases when museum visitors tried to destroy works of art. And the reasons for the vandals were very different.

1. Venus with a mirror. Diego Velazquez
In 1914, suffragist Mary Richardson cut the painting Venus with a Mirror when it was exhibited at the National Gallery in London. Five cuts made by a knife were found in the picture. Richardson protested against the arrest of Emmeline Pankhurst and was soon nicknamed the Mary the Butcher by the press. Richardson claimed that she held a protest rally, not only to raise awareness of Pankhurst’s arrest, but also to object to “how visitors stare at the picture for days on end.” Continue reading →