An art lover who kissed a $2-million painting, leaving red lipstick smears on the canvas, was fined by a French court on Friday and ordered to carry out 100 hours of community work.
Cambodian-born Rindy Sam told the court in the southern French city of Avignon that she was ”overcome with passion” when she saw the painting by United States artist Cy Twombly hanging in a gallery and spontaneously kissed the picture.
The picture’s owner, Yvon Lambert, demanded $2-million in damages and a further €33 400 ($48 860) to pay for the restoration.
The court ordered her to pay €1 000 in damages to the painting’s owner, €500 to the gallery owner and a symbolic €1 to the artist.
Sam, in her 30s, said earlier this year she thought her lipstick had improved the painting — a pure, white canvas. – Reuters