A 19-year-old tourist, Joshua Vaurin, allegedly vandalized artworks at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on November 3. He threw water at Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres's 19th-century painting *The Princess de Broglie* and a 16th-century altarpiece by Girolamo dai Libri, then ripped two tapestries. Vaurin was taken into custody, arraigned on criminal mischief charges, and appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. The Met reported minor damage with repairs estimated at $1,000.
The incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in museum security, particularly against impulsive acts of vandalism by visitors. While the damage was minimal, the targeting of a celebrated masterpiece like *The Princess de Broglie* underscores the tension between public access and preservation. The case also raises questions about how institutions balance openness with protecting irreplaceable cultural heritage.