Photo: BRYAN R. SMITH / AFP / Getty Images
A 19-year-old from Texas, Joshua Vavrin, was arrested after causing damage to several artworks at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Monday (November 3). Vavrin, reportedly under the influence of an unknown substance, was turned in to authorities by his mother.
According to the New York Post, Vavrin splashed water on two renowned paintings: the 19th-century Princesse de Broglie by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres and the 16th-century Madonna and Child with Saints by Girolamo dai Libri. He also tore two historic tapestries from the walls. The damage is estimated at $1,000 per artwork.
A spokesperson for the Met stated that no permanent damage was done to the artworks, and no individuals were harmed. They expressed gratitude to the museum's security staff and the NYPD for maintaining safety.
Vavrin was charged with criminal mischief and is expected to appear in Manhattan Criminal Court. The extent of the charges could vary, with potential penalties ranging from a fine to a prison sentence, depending on the severity of the damage.
The incident highlights the importance of security measures at cultural institutions, as the Met restricts items visitors can bring, allowing only sealed water bottles for medical reasons.