National Gallery question

[JonnyBoy12]

This may seem like a silly question, but are all the painting in the National Gallery in London original works? If they are then what is to stop people throwing paint at them? There does not seem to be much security there, and there is nothing stopping someone doing that. What is the total worth of all the painting in there?

[jno]

I expect if you wandered through the galleries with a gallon of Dulux Jasmine Shimmer, they would be keeping half an eye on you (and there are plenty of other members of the public around).

[JonnyBoy12]

Yes, I suppose that is so, and hope I have not tempted fate, by saying this, but am really concerned about this. Does anyone know who quoted the following:

"When a civilization dies all that is left is its' art".

[sg]

Good question - and there has been plenty of vandalism in galleries, notably the Da Vinci cartoon shot in 1987 http://en.wikipedia.o...n_the_Baptist#History
Less notably this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2779597.stm
There is very little security in comparison to the perceived value of the works collected, and it would not be possible to put a value on the collection unless they were all auctioned off to investors who would lock them up in bank vaults.