A Cambodian-born French woman faces prosecution for criminal damage after planting a kiss on a painting by the artist Cy Twombly, leaving the imprint of her lipstick on the otherwise immaculate white canvas.
The untitled work — three metres by two metres — valued at €2-million, is part of an exhibition dedicated to the United States painter in the southern French city of Avignon.
Thirty-year-old Sam Rindy, who visited the show with a friend on Thursday, told Agence France-Presse that she was so overcome by the white canvas that she kissed it.
“I stepped back. I found the painting even more beautiful,” said Rindy. “The artist left this white for me,” she added.
Staff of the Lambert foundation, which owns the painting, took a different view. They called the police and the woman, herself a painter, was arrested as she left the premises. She will appear in court on August 16 to face charges of criminal damage.
The exhibition, Blooming, runs until September 30. – AFP