Thomas Gainsborough “Mr and Mrs William Hallett" (aka “The Morning Walk”) / Screwdriver

On March 18, 2017, this 18th-century portrait was damaged while on view at London’s National Gallery. The Metropolitan Police said 63-year-old Keith Gregory was charged with criminal damage after attacking the painting with a screwdriver, inflicting two long gouges which “penetrated the paint layers, but not the supporting canvas.” Gallery staff and visitors detained Gregory, who initially (but falsely) claimed he had a bomb on his person, until police arrived. The painting was taken off-view as conservators determined whether restoration would be possible.