Author: Shatin, Deborah and Fine, Gary Alan

Publication Year: 1978

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Attacks on works of art are discussed in terms of their social symbolism. Such attacks, though not frequent, have had a long history in Western Civilization, and during the Twentieth Century often have received a considerable amount of press attention.

Abstract:

Attacks on works of art are discussed in terms of their social symbolism. Such attacks, though not frequent, have had a long history in Western Civilization, and during the Twentieth Century often have received a considerable amount of press attention. Four case studies of art attacks are analyzed: the 1914 hacking of Velasquez's 'Rokeby Venus'; the 1972 hammer attack on Michaelangelo's Pieta'; the 1975 slashing of Rembrandt's 'the Night Watch'; and the 1978 bombing of Versailles Palace. The conflicting motives for these destructions are examined; the perpetrators provide meaningful situated motives, whereas the press, public and authorities tend to describe the action as 'insane' and outside the boundaries of legitimate public expression. Central to both sets of explanations is the symbolic meaning of art, as these actions and the motives behind them are seen as statements about the social order. (Abstract to the article)

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