PARIS - A Cambodian-born French woman faces prosecution for criminal damage after planting a kiss on a painting by the American artist Cy Twombly, leaving the imprint of her lipstick on the otherwise immaculate white canvas.
The untitled work three metres by two (roughly nine feet by six), valued at two million euros, is part of an exhibition dedicated to the US painter in the southern French city of Avignon.
Thirty-year-old Sam Rindy, who visited the show with a friend on Thursday, told AFP that she was so overcome by the white canvas that she kissed it.
"I stepped back. I found the painting even more beautiful," said Rindy. "The artist left this white for me," she added.
Staff of the Lambert foundation, which owns the painting, took a different view. They called the police and the woman, herself a painter, was arrested as she left the premises. She will appear in court on August 16 to face charges of criminal damage. MagazineLane.com
The untitled work three metres by two (roughly nine feet by six), valued at two million euros, is part of an exhibition dedicated to the US painter in the southern French city of Avignon.
Thirty-year-old Sam Rindy, who visited the show with a friend on Thursday, told AFP that she was so overcome by the white canvas that she kissed it.
"I stepped back. I found the painting even more beautiful," said Rindy. "The artist left this white for me," she added.
Staff of the Lambert foundation, which owns the painting, took a different view. They called the police and the woman, herself a painter, was arrested as she left the premises. She will appear in court on August 16 to face charges of criminal damage. MagazineLane.com
