Controversial Painting Depicting Mother Teresa Vandalized in Trumbull

Police are investigating after an artwork that sparked controversy in town was vandalized last night at the Trumbull Library.

The painting, owned by Dr. Richard Resnick was lended to the library along with other pieces of art collectively known as the Great Minds Collection. The depiction of Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, was the target of the vandalism.

Police responded to the library around 8 p.m., said Lt. Leonard Scinto, police spokesman.

Witnesses reported seeing a woman near the painting reach into her bag and wave her arm around the painting. She then left the area.

Witnesses noticed what was described as purple lipstick or crayon markings on the face of one of the painting’s subjects.

The painting is valued at approximately $10,000 and the estimate of damage is unknown at this time, Scinto said.

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First Selectman Tim Herbst said the act isn’t reflective of the community.

“All Trumbull residents should be outraged that someone would come into a public building and commit an act of vandalism,” he said. “Free speech does not allow for the destruction of private property. I am asking the person or persons who committed this act to turn themselves in to local authorities.”

Failing that, the department will complete an investigation that will hold the responsible person or persons accountable, Herbst said.

He added that he and Town Attorney Dennis Kokenos has been adamant about getting an indemnification agreement for a reason.

“Last night’s incident is proof positive of this point. Our job is to protect the town and we remain committed to doing so in the interest of all Trumbull residents,” he said.

Resnick said he would not press charges for the property destruction and he feels bad for the person who felt compelled to damage the painting. He added that he believes most Trumbullites wouldn’t condone such an action.

The painting was ordered taken down more than a week ago by Herbst after it was discovered that there was a possible copyright infringement claim and that the town didn’t have a written indemnification agreement with Resnick for damages.

A partial agreement was reached and the painting was rehung last week, according to the Trumbull Times. Some of the final details on a full indemnification agreement are still being worked out.

The town obtained insurance for the painting. Some charged that the painting was taken down after complaints from people who objected to Mother Teresa being depicted with women like Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood. Herbst denied that and said it was about protecting the town from liability.

The vandalism happened during a Library Board meeting, according to the Trumbull Times. Some local Catholics spoke at the meeting and said that they were offended by the painting.

The suspect was described as a white female in her mid 30’s with shorter dark hair. She was wearing a long teal shirt with a black and white shirt, black overcoat and a satchel or purse.

Police ask anyone with information to call them at 203-261-3665.

Full statement from Resnick below:

My reaction to the vandalism to Margaret Sanger in the painting, Women United, Women of Purpose, in the Trumbull Library is two-fold. I, of course, am saddened that this happened in my home town of forty-two years, but I understand the emotional intensity that surrounds the issue of abortion, a subject the painting never intended to raise. I’m also confident that the majority of Trumbullites would not condone such an action. I am sorry for the person who felt so compelled and will not press charges for property destruction. I believe that those who object have misunderstood the important message that the painting represents. The text that accompanies the art makes clear that these women, Mother Teresa among them, are being honored because they “extended their traditional roles into the larger sphere and pioneered institutions to care for the sick and destitute, the wounded and disabled, and championed a safety net for people with the greatest needs.” Certainly, these goals are not objectionable. One cannot understand the meaning of any of the paintings in this collection without reading the crucial descriptive narratives. The words and the art inseparable.

Secondly, I am asking everyone to please respect the opinions of others, or, at least, tolerate them. This collection does not espouse only one point of view, but is inclusive of many that are relevant to our lives today, even if we vehemently disagree with them. The individuals whose portraits hang in the Library are the backbone of civilized thought for the last 3,000 years. If we are going to exist for another 3,000 years, we had better learn to live peacefully with other viewpoints than our own.

Image courtesy of Tony Silber