A valuable painting by acclaimed American artist Mark Rothko, estimated to be worth up to €50 million (£42.5 million), has been damaged by a child during a visit to the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam.
The artwork, titled Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8, sustained superficial scratches in what museum officials described as an “unguarded moment.” The damage occurred in the Depot, the museum’s open-access storage facility where the piece had been on public view.
A museum spokesperson confirmed that the lower, unvarnished section of the canvas now bears visible scratches. “We are currently assessing the next steps for treating the painting,” the spokesperson said, noting that both domestic and international conservation experts have been consulted.
Despite the incident, the museum remains optimistic. “We expect the work will eventually return to public display,” the spokesperson added.
Art conservation specialists have emphasized the sensitivity of Rothko’s technique. Sophie McAloone, conservation manager at the Fine Art Restoration Company, explained that Rothko’s unvarnished modern paintings are especially vulnerable. “Even minimal damage becomes immediately noticeable,” she said. “Scratches to the upper paint layers can significantly disrupt the visual impact of the work.”
Jonny Helm, a market manager at restoration firm Plowden & Smith, noted the broader implications of the incident. “It raises important questions for UK institutions pursuing open-access exhibitions,” he said. “How might this influence their decisions moving forward?”
