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On April 25, 2025, a rare incident shook the art world. During a visit to the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam, a young child accidentally scratched a valuable Mark Rothko work, Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8 , valued at €50 million.
The iconic painting, created in 1960 and acquired by the museum in 1970, suffered visible damage following a moment of inattention. The work was immediately removed from the exhibition to allow for a thorough assessment of the damage by conservation experts.
This incident has reignited the debate on the safety of artworks in public spaces. Despite enhanced protective measures, the incident is reminiscent of previous cases in which major works have been inadvertently damaged. The restoration process, which could last six to nine months, is underway to preserve the painting's integrity without altering its original aesthetic.
The museum, which houses more than 150,000 works, also plans to improve its surveillance systems to better protect its priceless heritage in the future.
Nicolas Sarazin 
