Trumbull Officials Provide Legal Agreement to End Painting Issue

Town officials provided an indemnification agreement to be signed by Dr. Richard Resnick and the town, protecting them from any liability issues concerning a painting depicting Mother Teresa that was hung in the public library.

The agreement would hold the town harmless from any third party claims and if the artwork is somehow damaged, destroyed or stolen. The agreement also requires the owner of the painting to provide an insurance certificate of the town.

Dr. Resnick confirmed that he would indemnify the town in an email, according to a statement issued by town officials.

The painting was taken down earlier this week from the public library in order to protect the town from any copyright infringement lawsuits. The Connecticut Post reported that the owner of the painting, Dr. Resnick claimed the copyright issue was a smokescreen and there is no liability for the town. His attorney, Bruce Elstein filed a Freedom of Information Act request to discover the intentions behind the removal.

The painting, “Onward We March” shows Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic sister well known for her humanitarian efforts and staunch opposition to contraception standing with pro-choice feminists. 

According to the Trumbull Times, emails obtained by the publication indicate that there was an organized effort to get the painting taken down and some emails indicate Herbst and a town council member were on board with the effort. The effort to take the painting down started with the Knights of Columbus calling the artwork, ”blasphemy”.

Herbst responded to the Trumbull Times saying he was aware that some may find the painting offensive but he was more concerned about the liability.

Related Stories:

• Mother Teresa Painting Removed from Trumbull Library Amid Copyright Infringement Complaints
• Painting Causes Controversy in Trumbull, Owner Says Town is Protected
• Herbst: Painting Goes Back Up in Trumbull When Town Gets Agreement

Town attorney Dennis J. Kokenos wrote to Elstein that the artwork is valuable and for the town to continue to display the artwork, the town must have assurances set forth in the agreement. He added that as soon as the agreement was signed, the artwork would be rehung in the library.

In the statement, First Selectman Tim Herbst said public libraries should be cultural centers that bring communities together and not make community members feel that their point of view is secondary to another, saying that was “un-American”.

Both Herbst and Kokenos said they hope Dr. Resnick will sign the agreement as soon as possible and bring closure to the matter.

The 33 pieces of art in the Great Minds Collection is valued at between $231,000 and $330,000. Kokenos said without an agreement, all of the artwork would have to be removed to protect the town from liability.

Image via Town of Trumbull

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