When Bad Things Happen to Good Art Quiz

Answer: Fresco

While any art can be destroyed, fresco (the process of applying paint to wet plaster) is particularly vulnerable. This is often not because of the process itself but due to problems with humidity and the structural integrity of the frescoed walls.

Answer: "The Night Watch" by Rembrandt van Rijn

Fortunately, the "Night Watch" was not badly damaged. However, it was also attacked in 1911 and 1975. "Danae" was not so lucky. It was nearly destroyed and required 12 years of careful restoration. Control yourselves, people! Paintings never did anything to you.

Answer: It was damaged in a flood in Florence

In 1966, a devastating flood took thirty lives in Florence and damaged or destroyed countless irreplaceable works of art. It is a measure of how much was lost that Vasari's 1546 masterpiece is only now being restored. Dozens of other precious paintings are still in storage awaiting the tedious labor that will hopefully put them back on view.

Answer: He vomits on it

Mr. Brown's "art" project (and lifelong dream?) is to vomit on three paintings using his own emesis in primary colors. In 1996 he vomited (red) on Raoul Dufy's "Harbour at le Havre" at the Art Gallery of Ontario and then spewed blue onto Piet Mondrian's "Composition in Red, White and Blue" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

He had apparently planned some yellow vomit on a Picasso to complete his project, but my research was thankfully unable to confirm this. Brown was never censured by his school, the Ontario College of Art.

Answer: He ordered clothes painted onto the nude figures

The "Last Judgment" is a brilliantly dark and tortured rendition of the artist's view of the end of the world. Michelangelo felt that humankind would be judged as it was born: naked. The Pope was shocked and ordered a colleague of Michelangelo's to paint clothes onto the figures, especially those of the saints.

Answer: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

In March of 1990, thieves stole a dozen works of art from the Gardner Museum, including a Vermeer and Rembrandt's only known seascape. The paintings have never been recovered.

Answer: Hidden in Scotland

Most of what we now know as the British Crown Jewels date from after the Restoration of King Charles II. Earlier jewels were sold and the metal melted down on the orders of Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector. Several penurious British monarchs or their consorts resorted to pawning the jewels, and King John lost his entire regalia in quicksand in 1216.

Answer: Near a Dumpster

The priceless 1684 cello, nicknamed the "General Kyd," was found near a Dumpster in May of 2004. It was slightly damaged and in need of restoration but is expected to fully recover.

Answer: It was destroyed in a fire

"Hell", a mixed-media work which sold for ₤500,000, was destroyed in a warehouse fire in May of 2004. The Chapman brothers plan to create a second "Hell". Jake Chapman was quoted, saying, "We'll make it again. It's only art."

Answer: The pieces were on loan to a museum in Russia

Kuwait's ruling Sheik had lent 120 pieces of art to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia shortly before his country was invaded. The Kuwait National Museum was ransacked and burned and remained closed even ten years later. Thank you for taking my quiz.