Vandal Scrawls 'Nazi Art' Across Met Museum Painting

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A vandal scrawled the words "Nazi art" on a painting on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, police said.

Ryan Watson, 33, was detained by museum security and later arrested after writing on a painting in the museum's education center on Wednesday, police said. When approached by museum security, Watson shouted "go back to your country" at the guard, police said.

Watson has been charged with graffiti and criminal mischief, an NYPD spokesman told Patch.

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The vandalized artwork — created by a student — was on display as part of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a museum spokeswoman said.

"The visitor was immediately detained by museum security and then arrested by the NYPD. The Met is reaching out to the student and will make every effort to restore the work of art," the spokeswoman said in a statement.

"The Met is grateful for the quick and effective action taken by security officers and the NYPD on this unfortunate incident."

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