A 19-year-old tourist is facing criminal charges after allegedly vandalizing several centuries-old masterpieces at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Joshua Vaurin was arrested on Monday, November 3, after hurling water at priceless artworks and tearing historic tapestries during what investigators described as a destructive rampage through the museum around 4:30 p.m.
Vaurin's vandalism spree began when he doused "The Princess de Broglie," a renowned 19th-century French oil painting by celebrated portraitist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. The artwork, described as a masterpiece in the Met's online catalog, sustained water damage but museum officials report the harm was relatively minor. The teenage vandal then moved to another section of the museum where he splashed water on a 16th-century Italian altarpiece titled "Madonna and Child with Saints" by Girolamo dai Libri.
The destructive tour concluded when Vaurin proceeded to rip two historic tapestries before being apprehended by museum security. He was taken into custody shortly afterward, with investigators confirming that no injuries were reported during the incident. Vaurin, who was staying at a Times Square hotel during his visit to New York City, did not provide any explanation or motive for his actions.
According to reports from the New York Post, Vaurin appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance at the time of his arrest. His mother was present at the scene and turned him over to police authorities. Before being formally charged, Vaurin was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.
"The Princess de Broglie" holds particular significance as one of the crown jewels of the Met's European Paintings collection. The portrait was among the final commissioned works by Neoclassical French master Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, completed between 1851 and 1853. Art historians celebrate the painting for its extraordinary technical achievement, particularly Ingres' seamless brushwork that creates a lifelike luminosity in the subject's elegant blue satin and lace gown, which is beautifully complemented by intricate pearl and gold jewelry.
The painting carries a poignant backstory that adds to its cultural value. Ingres received the commission from Albert de Broglie, who wanted a portrait of his wife Joséphine-Éléonore-Marie-Pauline de Galard de Brassac de Béarn just a few years into their marriage. Tragically, the princess died from tuberculosis shortly after the masterpiece was completed, making the work not only an artistic triumph but also a touching memorial to a young life cut short.
Museum officials released a statement addressing the incident, emphasizing that while the vandalism was certainly concerning, the actual damage to the artworks was fortunately minimal. The Metropolitan Museum of Art estimates that restoration costs will amount to approximately $1,000, a relatively modest sum considering the priceless nature of the damaged pieces. Vaurin now faces criminal mischief charges as authorities work to determine appropriate legal consequences for his actions against these irreplaceable cultural treasures.
