Denver woman charged with damaging Clyfford Still painting

A 36-year-old Denver woman has been charged with criminal mischief for damaging a painting at the Clyfford Still Museum. Carmen Tisch, 36, allegedly approaching a painting and scratching, hitting and leaning against it on Dec. 29, according to the Denver District Attorney’s office. The value of the painting is between at $30 million and $40 million and the early estimate for treatment is about $10,000.

Tisch was arrested at the museum and remained in police custody as of Jan. 4.

“The Clyfford Still Museum maintains the highest standard of security; our security officers acted swiftly and appropriately; the police were summoned immediately and the offender was taken into custody within minutes of the incident,” a statement from the museum reads.

The Still Museum has seen thousands of visitors since opening on Nov. 18.

“This extremely rare and random act of criminal mischief is highly deplorable,” says the museum’s statement. “However, it will not deter us from performing our mission and continuing to provide a world-class art experience to our visitors.”