Vandals spray-painted graffiti on the famous painting “The Origin of the World” by artist Gustave Courbet, which was exhibited at a branch of the Pompidou Center in the French city of Metz.
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The controversial painting, depicting a woman’s lower body with her genitals in the foreground, was exhibited in Metz as part of the exhibition “Lacan: the Artist and Psychoanalysis”. After the incident, all visitors were evacuated and the museum was closed.
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Sources at the museum said the act of vandalism was carried out by two girls, allegedly activists of the MeToo movement. They were detained by security officers. The museum’s reception desk said the closed gallery will only reopen on Wednesday, May 8.
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In recent years, works of art have repeatedly become victims of protests by various activists who have glued themselves to the paintings, poured soup on them and thrown cakes at them.
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The painting “The Origin of the World” was transferred to Metz (Moselle department) from the Orsay Museum in Paris. It was created by order of the Turkish diplomat Khalil Bey, who more than 150 years ago ordered the artist a provocative canvas to replenish his collection of erotic paintings. As a result of bankruptcy, Khalil Bey sold off his collection. In the second half of the 20th century, the painting ended up in the possession of the famous psychoanalyst Jean Lacan. After his death, the work was transferred to the Orsay Museum.
