Woman faces charges for kissing painting

A woman who says she was so overcome with passion for a valuable painting on display in France, has been charged with criminal damage after kissing it.

The immaculate white canvas so attracted Sam Rindy she smudged it with her lipstick, saying later she had wanted to make it even more beautiful.



The 3x2m (9x6-foot) painting by US artist Cy Twombly is valued at more than $2m (£970,000).

Ms Rindy, herself an artist, is due to appear in court on 16 August.

"I left a kiss," she told La Provence newspaper on leaving the police station. A red stain remained on the canvas. This red stain is testimony to this moment, to the power of art."