Last December 2019, the Tate Modern was the scene of controversy when an architecture student, Shakeel Ryan Massey, punched the work “Bust of a Woman” (1944) by Pablo Picasso. The 20-year-old admitted to wrapping his hands in scarves to first destroy the protective glass, then hitting the work four times with padlocks, removing it from the wall and throwing it to the floor. When he was detained by security guards, Massey claimed to be performing.

The work “Bust of a Woman” (1944) is valued at $26.3 million dollars and is a cubist portrait of the photographer Dora Maar, one of Pablo Picasso's most emblematic muses. Currently, the piece has begun a restoration process that will last 18 months and so far it is unknown if there will be “permanent scars” from the damage caused by Massey. It is estimated that restoration costs will exceed $460,000 USD.

Massey, a London resident who was studying at university in Spain, pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage. His attorney Glen Harris pointed to Massey's immature behavior and the death of his older brother in 2016 as the reasons that led him to carry out the act of vandalism. However, Judge Jeremy Donne described the reasons as insufficient to avoid a conviction, and noted that an exemplary punishment should be given to prevent other people from copying his actions. At the time of sentencing, the judge stated:

“It is difficult to conceive that this offense was perpetuated for any reason other than to receive notoriety. Aside from the fact that you're only 20 years old, there's no evidence that you were particularly naive or immature. There is nothing that would suggest anything other than the fact that a twenty-something was seeking fame.”

With information from Artforum and Artsy News.