This makes me angry: Intruders at Paris' Orsay damage a Monet

[bicentennial_baby]

PARIS - Intruders entered the Orsay Museum early Sunday and punched a hole in a renowned work by Impressionist painter Claude Monet, the French culture minister said. She described the damage as an attack on "our memory, our patrimony."

A surveillance camera caught a group entering the museum, which houses a major collection of Impressionist art on the Left Bank of the French capital along the Seine River.

An alarm sounded and the group left, but not before damaging an invaluable painting, "Le Pont d'Argenteuil," an aide to Culture Minister Christine Albanel said by telephone.

No arrests were immediately made.

Albanel told France-Info radio that the painting could be restored, but she deplored the attack on "our memory, our patrimony."

"This splendid Monet painting punched right in the middle," the minister said with emotion.

According to the aide, a 4-inch tear was made in the Monet. The official, not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, asked not to be named.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071007/ap_en_ot/france_monet_damaged

:mad:

[mcscajun]

1. I do not even *begin* to understand the mindset (or total LACK of mind, more likely)

of anyone who would vandalize a work of art, particulary a legendary one.

I read that article earlier today, and I'm still :banghead:

[bicentennial_baby]

8. same here...

:mad: And Orsay is a very special place...damnit.

[Radio_Lady]

23. Very sad. We were just there last spring (May-June 2007).

It is a beautiful museum, but seemed to have little security. So tragic. The Monets are beautiful.

[billyskank]

2. That makes me sad.

:(

[bicentennial_baby]

5. It makes me angry b/c having experienced

the wonder that is La Musee d'Orsay, I cannot imagine how anyone could want to damage its treasures... x(

That place is f'n incredible...I was within 3 inches of a Van Gogh Self-Portrait, face to face, no glass...priceless.

:hug:

[billyskank]

10. It'll probably all be behind glass in the future.

Gah. x(

[bicentennial_baby]

16. Exactly...

This will rob it of what makes it so special, the intimacy. x(

I love that place...

[fizzgig]

3. that pisses me off, too

i just don't get how some people think

:grr:

[Deja Q]

4. Vile. It'll be expensive to repair.

:(

[bicentennial_baby]

6. Indeed...at least it *is* repairable...

:(

[BarenakedLady]

7. Grrrrr

x(

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Yep...

It makes me furious. Why? I have no idea...

[pitohui]

11. what a shame, why do this?

i was lucky to see this painting in its undamaged state some time back

i realize they can do wonderful things these days to restore paintings but you still wonder what kind of creep does this

[Sugar Smack]

12. If it had been a Cezanne, I woulda lost it.

But this is terrible. :(

[AZBlue]

13. What's the point?

Such a heinous act.

[applegrove]

14. What a strange crime.

[tigereye]

15. what kind of sick person would do that?

:wtf:

[Paladin]

17. What A Sickening Thing To Happen, Anywhere......

....but at a glorious place like the Orsay. Shameful.

[bicentennial_baby]

18. My best photo from Orsay:

:)

[Mrs.Matcom]

19. They let you take photos?

When I was at the Louvre, you could not take a flash picture. The day I was there it was cloudy, so most of my pictures didn't even turn out to be printable, all too dark.

I would like to go back to Paris and experience it now that I am older...and wiser (hahaha!)

you feeling any better?

[bicentennial_baby]

20. Hey you!!! At Musee d'Orsay, yes...

No flash in the Degas pastel rooms though. When I was at the Louvre, the flash was dependent on the exhibit. Ok for some, not for others. x(

My throat is still f'd up, but I'm thinking it might be allergies. Otherwise, I am great!! :bounce:

We should talk sometime, foodie stuff and such :D

:pals:

:*

[Mrs.Matcom]

24. I hope you feel better soon!

I'm around any time you want to PM. You need to get to the cheese shop in Wellesley! I was there last month, yummy! :hug:

[Sugar Smack]

22. GAUGIN!

I love him!!!:loveya: Starry Fuckin' Night's my favorite!!!!

[Midlodemocrat]

21. How awful!! Such a beautiful museum to be defiled like that.

:cry: