Woman Faces Charges for Kissing Painting

What do you do when you absolutely love art? Buy it? In France, this woman kissed it, and possibly ruined a piece of art by artist Cy Twombly, with her lipstick. She was arrested.

She was accused of smudging the bone-white canvas with her lipstick. She will be tried in court in August for ruining an artwork. The painting is worth an estimated 2 million dollars. It was on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Avignon.

Twombly is known for his abstract paintings combining painting and drawing techniques, repetitive lines and the use of graffiti, letters and words.

Now on one hand she did deface a painting apparently. But it seems to me that they are rushing to prosecute her here. I understand that it has a value and it is a museum piece. But wouldn't it make more sense to take a look at the actual damage done, see if it can be fixed by professionals, and if it can(Which it can. There are experts who could do it easily) then hold her responsible for that cost. I mean, it was a kiss, so presumably the art evoked emotion. Is this truly a crime? Bad judgement, yes, but it is art. No one should be punished for such passion. Some artists might even look at the piece after it had been "damaged" and decide that it is better that way.