Tomb of Karl Marx vandalised in London

The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Monday, June 17, 2024


Tomb of Karl Marx vandalised in London
The marble plaque showing damage from recent vandalism on the front of the tomb of German revolutionary philosopher Karl Marx, a Grade I-listed monument, is seen in Highgate Cemetery in north London on February 5, 2019. Vandals have smashed and defaced the London tomb of Karl Marx in what the cemetery said appeared to be a deliberate attack against the philosopher’s ideology. A marble plaque with the names of Marx and his family -- the monument's oldest and most fragile part -- was repeatedly hit with a blunt metal instrument, Ian Dungavell, who runs the cemetery trust, told AFP on Tuesday. Tolga AKMEN / AFP.

by Robin Millard



LONDON (AFP).- Vandals have damaged the London tomb of Karl Marx in what the cemetery said Tuesday appeared to be a sustained and targeted attack.

A marble plaque with the names of Marx and his family -- the monument's oldest and most fragile part -- was repeatedly hit with a blunt metal instrument, Ian Dungavell, who runs the cemetery trust, told AFP on Tuesday.

The damage was reported to the police on Monday.

"The name of Karl Marx seems to have been particularly singled out, so it wasn't just a random smashing up of a monument -- it seems a very targeted attack," said Dungavell, chief executive of the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust, the charity which runs the graveyard.

German revolutionary philosopher Marx moved to London in 1849 and lived in the British capital for the rest of his life. His theories became the basis for communism. He died on March 14, 1883, aged 64.

The granite slab monument in north London, 12 feet (3.7 metres) tall and topped with a bronze bust of Marx, was funded in 1956 by the Communist Party of Great Britain.

The inset 1880s marble plaque that has been damaged came from the original, simpler grave.

The lettering and stonework was damaged, particularly around Marx's name, the date of his wife's death and the name of their grandson Harry Longuet, who died aged four.

"I'm personally upset by the physical violence. There was a person there not once, but again and again banging at this with some blunt metal instrument," said Dungavell.

"It's particularly naive to think that by a few hammer blows, you're going to encourage sympathy for anti-Marxist views."

'Never be the same'
The monument has been attacked before. The bust has been pulled off, it was attacked with a pipe bomb in the 1970s and it has been daubed with paint and slogans.

"It's battle-scarred and has all the marks of a rich and varied life," said Dungavell.

"It's not irreparable but it will never be the same again."

He said most people would find attacking a grave repugnant, particularly as it was also the tomb of his wife and other family members.

The tomb is a Grade I-listed monument, meaning it is among the most important sites in Britain that must be protected and preserved as a heritage asset.

It is owned by the Marx Grave Trust, a wing of the Marx Memorial Library in London.

Dungavell said the repair attempts would require a specialist stone restorer and an expert to reinstate the lettering.

The repairs would most likely have to include cleaning off the rust marks, consolidating the surface so that moisture ingress in the cracks does not cause future damage, and possibly cosmetically toning down the bright white newly exposed marble so it blends in.

Police said they had completed their initial inquiries and the investigation had been closed. No arrests have been made.

"If any further information comes to light, this will be investigated accordingly," a police spokesman said.


© Agence France-Presse










Today's News

February 6, 2019

New York's Museum of Modern Art to undergo four-month renovation

The Blanton Museum acquires world-renowned Spanish Colonial art collection

White Cube Bermondsey opens exhibition of works by Tracey Emin

Tomb of Karl Marx vandalised in London

Exhibition of Ettore Sottsass' work showcases historic ceramics and enamels from private collections

Plan for sausage museum in ex-Nazi camp annex scrapped after outcry

One of Europe's most influential 19th century painters revisited in new exhibition

The Meet Vincent van Gogh Experience will travel to Barcelona and Seoul

Stunning NASA photo archive for sale at Swann Auction Galleries

Dallas Museum of Art announces 2018 acquisition and program highlights

Exhibition at Tulane University's Newcomb Art Museum explores the stories of women in incarceration

Sabrina Amrani announces the incorporation of Alexandra Karakashian to the gallery's roster of artists

Frist Art Museum presents companion exhibitions of French and British masterpieces from the Mellon Collection

Stephen Friedman Gallery opens a group exhibition of international female artists

Collect like a pro: Ketterer Kunst announces Art Advisory Service

State museum displays poster exhibition and artifacts in recognition of Black History Month

The Rose Art Museum opens 'Howardena Pindell: What Remanins to be Seen'

Home town backs Thatcher statue

Selfridges, London launches the 'Lip Bar' by Daido Moriyama to mark Valentine's Day

SculptureCenter exhibition features newly commissioned works by eleven artists and artist teams

André de Jong's performative photography on view at the Merchant House

New Museum presents its Winter/Spring 2019 lineup of exhibitions

Photographers in Iraq's Mosul snap dark days, bright futures

Jenkins Johnson Projects opens an exhibition of works by Enrico Riley




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful