The Destruction of Old and Modern-Day Art

Created by:Armando MadrigalArt 157

Art Destruction

Art destruction involves the damaging or destruction of works of art.

This occurrence can happen through a

Natural Process

An accident

Or Intentional human engagement

The Natural ProcessThere are many ways that art is destroyed by the

natural process of life, some include:

Deterioration- This cycle of life can affect artwork by

Humidity- If an artwork is left in a dry atmosphere, it can lead to brittleness. If it is left in a damp environment, it can also lead to growth of mold.

Light- Almost every artwork worldwide has suffered damage from light. Too much light can fade away

watercolours and pigments.

The Natural Process Cont'D

Natural Disasters like

Floods can lead to

destruction of cities and

their most treasured

items.

Take for example the

Venice Flood of 1966 that

heavily damaged a

Venetian Angel.

Accidental Damage

Accidents happen to everyone, but when it occurs with art, it can lead the value of the art to diminish.

Handling- Most of us know that paper picks up the oils from our fingers so gloves are highly recommended.

Accidental Destruction Cont'd

Plane crashes are bad news, but plane crashes that involve art being destroyed is horrific.

One such incident in 1998 involved the Swiss Air Flight 111 which crashed killing all 225 and every cargo inside, including Picasso's “Le Peintre” (The painter) Painting.

Deliberate Destruction Vandalism- Vandalism

occurs when someone maliciously attacks an object with deliberate intent. One incident involved a painting of Rembrandt's called “The Night Watch”. In 1911 a cook was discharged from the navy, out of anger he got a knife and pierced the painting in the middle.

Deliberate Destruction Cont'd Another form of deliberate destruction of artwork

happened in WW2 involving Degenerate (Un-German) Art.

In WW2, the Nazis abolished all modern art declaring it “Un-German”. Approximately 26,000 collections were stolen and many were destroyed in bonfires. Some included Picasso's artwork.

Intentional Destruction Cont'd

On September 11, 2001 suicide bombers deliberately crashed airplanes into American monuments. Most of us don't know that many artworks inside the Twin Towers were destroyed resulting in over 100 million dollars lost in artwork itself.

Some included works by Joan Miro (World Trade Center Tapestry) DOWN

Alexander Calder's Bent Propeller was heavily damaged outside the collapse of The World Trade Center. DOWN