Man Defaces Picasso Painting With Spray Paint in Houston — And He May Have Outed Himself on Facebook
- Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:53pm by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
Picasso vandal in the act. (Image: YouTube screenshot)
HOUSTON (The Blaze/AP) — Caught in the act by a smartphone camera, police have video recordings to help them search for a man who spray-painted Pablo Picasso’s “Woman in a Red Armchair” at a Houston art museum.
Officials say the vandalism happened Wednesday afternoon at the Menil Collection, where the 1929 painting is one of nine Picassos. Menil spokesman Vance Muse tells the Houston Chronicle that museum security officers detected the vandalism almost immediately, when the paint was barely dry. Chief conservator Brad Epley began repair work immediately, and Muse says the painting has “an excellent prognosis.”
Defaced painting (Image: YouTube screenshot)
The Picasso without the vandalizing marks. (Image: The Menil Collection)
The vandal fled and hasn’t been arrested. However, police have security video — along with a cellphone video taken by a witness and posted on YouTube. The YouTube video identifies the perpetrator as allegedly the Mexican-American artist Uriel Landeros.
Watch the video (Warning: Some strong language):
It also seems that Landeros, who it should be noted has not been confirmed as the vandal, could be bragging about it on his Facebook page. Here is a screenshot of him posting a link to the video on his profile:
(Image: Facebook screenshot)
KPRC reports witnesses saying the vandal identified himself as an up-and-coming artist who conducted this display to “honor Picasso.“ While one said they thought it was ”pretty cool how he just went up to the painting without fear, spray painted it and just walked off,” others think he should be prosecuted for desecrating the art if he is caught.
This post has been updated to include an image of the artwork without vandalism.
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 686 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 656 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 524 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 361 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 320 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 196 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 217 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Scathing New Ad Capitalizes on Rep. Ryan‘s ’Fading Obama Posters’ Remark 124 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 196 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (50)
ChipBlood
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:23pmI live in Houston and have visited the Menil Collection several times. It’s one of the nicest private collections on display to the general public in the USA. All for free. Most of the art there is very accessible to someone who wanted to touch it or deface it. There are people in every corner that try to stop someone from getting too close but it’s usually just a very young person or a retired person (Menil is a non-profit). Not necessarily a “Security” person. This defacement makes me sad…All of the art is original. The Menil family has possibly the largest collection of privately held Max Ernst paintings in the world. They own several Picasso’s, Andy Warhol’s and many historic treasures. Almost none are behind glass…
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:00pm[Man Defaces Picasso Painting]
Report Post »…
How can they tell?
hubarlow
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 2:00amDifferent styles. ;-)
Report Post »Gorp
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:33amPontiac has it right.
I wonder, looking at any Picasso painting, if drugs were outlawed back then too. The way he painted it seems like there was a free flow of them to anybody who wanted them.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 8:19amMost of Picasso’s works are worthless piles of filth. He was a tool of the socialists and is one of the main people who has debased art to such a level that it no longer hold meaning.
Picasso was an evil man.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 8:24am“…This defacement makes me sad….”
Picasso made bad art on purpose. This painting is literally a piece of crap. Anyone who would hang this on wall and call it art is a sucker of Picasso’s scam. He even admitted that the worse his art was, the more the critics loved it.
Picasso did some respectable work in his early years…until he decided to become a tool instead of artist.
Report Post »ShyMan
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:10pmSomeone’s public school is showing.
Report Post »James L
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:10pmThe Conquista logo in his art is a match for the grafitti on the Picasso. He should go to prison for a long time for this.
Report Post »jonboy1903
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:39pmI’m not avocating violence you understand. But I think the spray painter’s fingers ought to be smashed with a hammer to remind him of what happens to thoughtless ****** who rape and despoil priceless history.
Report Post »carl1000
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:25pmThe fact that don’t have that Millions $$ painting behind glass is insane. Make me believe those are all copies.
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:01pmIt’s not like they can cut it up or melt it down to make a new painting. (though they could try) Anyone with that kind of money knows they would be buying stolen goods.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 8:31am“…The fact that don’t have that Millions $$ painting behind glass is insane…..”
I am surprised this worthless crap is hung on a wall in a museum and passed off as art.
I have flushed things down the toilet that are more inspiring than this “painting”.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:12pmI doubt there are that many originals out there in public display, I think a lot of these are really good copies and the real ones are with people who collect things for fear of this exact same type of stupidity.
Report Post »Magicsmom
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:09pmWhat a tool! I hope he’s soon decorating a jail cell.
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:56pmWell, I hope he gets jail time, cause he sure the heck won’t be able to afford repairing much less replacing it. Hope he gets his McDreamy black bubba for a boyfriend in jail too. Someone tell him to wear his pants down low so he lets everyone in prison know that he’s available.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:30pmBefore long, all paintings will be encased in thick plexiglass, with bars around them. It’s as if we are de-evolving culturally, when we can no longer share such relics with others since such people have no respect for others’ property.
Report Post »yanki161
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:07pmHe probably considers himself to be avant-gard and “cutting edge,” another up-and-comer who is trying to make a name for himself. But not this way. You cannot add to another’s art and call it your own. You could (ie, Youtube) but not by taking out the original forever. That’s vandalism. That’s destruction.
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:51pmSorry Glenn, but I hold more value to the painting than this guy. As far s I’m concerened, throw the book at him. Preferably a picture book of Picasso works.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:47pmOnce he’s caught and prosecuted he can work off paying for the painting in prison at $0.50 per hr.
Report Post »AnimalsAsLeaders
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:41pmlol, at least put a cool stencil on it if you’re going to risk it.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:39pmI bet this guy works for TSA or the Gov and wants to expand strip-searches at Art Galleries.
His act of vandalism could do just that. : (
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:19pmSo using someones else’s work as your canvas and then adding to it is now considered cutting edge art……I call it lack of talent
Report Post »Wrabbit2000
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:35pmI imagine a lack of talent is sure a fitting description. So would high level felony type criminal action. It would be tacky and downright rude at a High School art show. It’s destroying or attempting to destroy millions of dollars worth of private property here. I hope we hear about him drawing a fitting prison sentence to the degree of damage and monetary losses he’s caused.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:19pmThe Menil Collection is an amazing museum – if you have never been, do go – you won’t be disappointed (and don‘t miss the Rothko Chapel while you’re there).
This is something that only an obama supporter would do – disgusting – he must be caught and prosecuted.
Report Post »right-wing-waco
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:18pmThis is a crime against us all, even if you don’t like art. If I was the black robe giving the sentence, it would be to amputate both hands, Trust me this is NOT the first time this jerk has done this, and it won’t be the last.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 8:37amThe painting is not art, it is a joke.
Report Post »BlackCrow
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:17pmIdiot squared.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:17pmPicasso’s “art” shows us we have been a race of idiots for a long, time.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:38pmWell, *some* of us anyway…
Report Post »blv
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:46pmIt doesn’t matter if it was a Picasso, a Monet or a Degas, it was a valuable piece of art and anyone who doesn‘t see that can’t appreciate the destruction here. Picasso was not an idiot, he was an artist who saw the world differently, as everyone writing here does. I‘m glad he was found and going to be dealt with because we aren’t turning out world renowned artists right and left.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:29pmHe was weird, out of touch, had a thing for young boys, and was thus considered “cool” and progressive and worshiped by the left, somethings never change. Those who don’t understand history are doomed to repeat it.
Report Post »wdittgasn
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:33pmIf you look at the picture I think you can say that Picaso did not think highly of women, Actually His art at first was like an actual picture taken with a camera, AWESOME the talent he had….. Then a woman messed him up and his art has been weird ever since, Once again that is supposed to be a picture of a woman????
Report Post »eramthgin
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:16pmhey its art being applied to art. Hasn‘t everyone seed Yoko Ono’s piles of dirt now there is some real art.
Report Post »Demosthenes Locke
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 6:26pmNot only have I seen Yoko Ono’s art, I’ve MET Yoko. She doesn’t shower often enough, she whines, and makes incessant, unreasonable demands about her own and her late husband‘s artwork when it’s put on display in public. Not to mention that her art just isn’t to my taste. I prefer Rodin.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:13pmThe dream act……….nice.
Report Post »yanki161
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:08pmCorrection: It was in the cover of the NY Daily News March 1, 1974. Took place at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:03pmWho would do that? What a loser.
Report Post »tarpon
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:02pmEverybody needs a video camera, video everything you see.
Report Post »yanki161
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:01pmAround 1973, someone spray painted “Kill Lies All” on Picasso’s “Guernica” in the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. (A dyslexic vandal, I guess.) Funny how they like Picasso.
Report Post »thekuligs
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:57pmI’m from Houston originally, and the Menil collection is AWESOME. That being said, who would take a picture of him and then not try and STOP them? Art is history. You might not like it, or understand it, but that doesn’t mean you should let one idiot ruin it while your watch.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:04pmIndeed, art is a part of our history and heritage; whoever did this is no better off than any other thief and vandal across the board. Artist or not, critic or not, crime is crime.
Report Post »