Wlodzimierz Umaniec, also known as Vladimir Umanets, who earlier this year vandalized a Mark Rothko painting at the Tate, has been convicted of the crime and sentenced to two years in prison. He wrote the phrase, “A potential piece of Yellowism”, on the famous Black on Maroon this past October. The charges were for criminal damages of over £5,000 but the prosecution estimates that restoring the painting will cost around £200,000 and take around 20 months. The painting is part of the Four Seasons series that Rothko gifted to the Tate. The painting has been valued between £5 million and £9 million. (more…)

Image: A gallery worker walks past Seagram murals by Mark Rothko in London via Reuters

Following the incident of the Rothko painting that was defaced yesterday, the estate of Mark Rothko expressed its confidence in the Tate. Reuters spoke to the suspect, providing additional details on possible motive:

Image: Vladimir Umanets via The Times of London
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