Anna Leporskaya’s classic Three Figures (1932-34) was on display at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center in Yekaterinburg, west-central Russia, when a guard decided something was missing and drew eyes on two of the images.
Apparently the security guard was “bored”. He revealed that he “didn’t like the images” and that some teenagers goaded him into defacing the art. The $1 million (£740,000) painting shows three faceless figures, but has now been ruined after he drew eyes on it.
This image shows the original work and the guard’s touch-ups
On his first day on the job, a security guard drew two pairs of eyes with a ballpoint pen onto artist Anna Leporskaya’s ‘Three Figures’ painting (pictured) during an abstract art exhibition in Yekaterinburg, western Russia pic.twitter.com/K5LFgM7uwP
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) February 9, 2022
The identity of the security guard has been discovered, according to the Daily Mail. He is a war hero decorated for his military valor. Alexander Vasiliev, 63, used a ballpoint pen to draw eyes on the expressionless faces of the figures in Leporskaya’s work.
Although the incident occurred in December 2021, the police have opened an investigation this week. If convicted, the security guard could face a fine and up to three months in prison. A day after the vandalism was discovered, the painting was returned to the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow for restoration.
According to The Art Newspaper Russia, fortunately the damage was not too deep as the suspect did not apply enough pressure to the canvas. Protective screens have now been installed over the other paintings and works on display in the gallery. (AND)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
