"Le Pont d'Argenteuil" (1874) by French Impressionist Claude Monet (1840-1926) was damaged by early morning intruders to Paris' Musée d'Orsay.
Paris' Musée d'Orsay, located on the Seine River's Left Bank, was broken into through a back door early on October 7, 2007. And one of five vandals, possibly inebriated, made a nearly 10-centimeter (4-inch) horizontal tear in Le Pont d'Argenteuil (1874) by French Impressionist painter Claude Monet (1840-1926). Despite the museum's alarm system having been activated and the speedy arrival of staff members, the intruders, caught by surveillance camera, escaped and remain unapprehended. The attack, committed around 12:00 Midnight to 1:00 AM, occurred during Nuit Blanche (White Night), an annual all-night event featuring arts and concerts when the city's streets are very crowded.
More than 60 of Monet's priceless works are in the Musée d'Orsay's collection. Le Pont d'Argenteuil, which hung on the ground floor, is one of seven versions painted by the artist in 1874. The oil on canvas composition's gash, most likely caused by the punch of a fist, can be repaired.
Update: According to BBC News and Agence France-Presse, French police arrested and questioned four men and one woman, ages 18 and 19 years old, on October 9, 2007.
