News of: Monday, June 26 2006,
This afternoon, a man has damaged a painting in the Rijksmuseum, by spraying a chemical on it.
The 69-year old man attempted to destroy the painting the 'Celebration of the Peace of Munster', dating from 1648/1649, painted by the Dutch master Bartholomeus van der Helst.
The work is one of the top pieces owned by the Rijksmuseum.
The Rijksmuseum says it appears only the covering varnish has been damaged by the chemical, not the painting underneath.