While reviewing the condition of the garden sculptures on 26.03.2019, traces of mud and boot prints were noticed on the copies of the stone Hercules figures. Two of the four sculptures on the shore of Wilanowskie Lake were “conquered” from the southern side. After a thorough inspection, however, no serious damage was found except for dirt, abrasions and slight chipping on the edge of the pedestal of one of the copies. We do not know what the motives were of the person or persons who climbed the recently installed sculptures of Hercules. Acts of vandalism usually happen in our Museum several times a year. Their perpetrators have an illusory sense of impunity, without thinking about the consequences of their actions, such as unfortunate accidents, or the subsequent criminal liability related to the maintenance or reconstruction of damaged exhibits, which is associated with incurring financial outlays.
Even if the reason for “conquering” the Hercules statues was an exceptional sensitivity to the beauty of art, this does not mean that there are no serious consequences – at the foot of the figures, there is a steep bank, below which is a water reservoir with a depth of more than 5 metres.
We would like to avoid similar acts in the future, so after this situation we are focusing our activities on the increased protection of the Museum. In addition to enlarging the area covered by video monitoring in the Wilanów gardens, it was decided to introduce additional patrols in the Lower Terrace.
text and photos by Irma Fuks-Rembisz
