23 April 2023 , 13:39
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It's believed that children given crayons as part of a museum activity pack decided to add their own personal touches to a statue of historic significance, scribbling all over it.
Dismaying photos show blue crayon scribbles all over the face, limbs, and torso of the beautiful 230-year-old statue, which depicts the Roman Naiade, Sabrina.
The statue, which was sculpted by John Bacon, is located in the gardens of Croome Court, a striking mid-18th-century Neo-Palladian mansion situated amid extensive landscaped parkland in south Worcestershire.
It's understood that crayons were given out to families in activity packs distributed over the Easter period, and that a memorial to renowned gardener and landscape architect Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was also defaced on April 8.
The statue dates back to at least 1802 (National Trust / SWNS)
It's believed the scribblings were the work of children (National Trust / SWNS)In a statement shared by the Museums Association, a National Trust spokesperson said: "We were dismayed that this happened and the team at Croome was understandably upset at the discovery."
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They continued: "The incident has required the time and consultation of conservators as well as of the garden and outdoor manager who cleaned the statue and memorial.
"Fortunately, the property was able to remove the crayon from the statue without the help of external cleaners or expensive specialist materials."
Incidents such as this are said to be 'rare' (National Trust / SWNS)
The National Trust is said to be 'dismayed' (PA)It's understood that trials will be conducted in order to figure out the best methods for restoring the memorial of Capability Brown, with efforts said to be still ongoing.
A spokesperson told BBC News: "The trail had been running for seven days and hundreds of families had completed the trail without incident."
They added: "Disappointing as they are, incidents like this are very rare considering the millions of visitors who enjoy and respect the places in our care."
Work to restore the Capability Brown statue is said to be ongoing (National Trust / SWNS)
Incidents such as this are thankfully said to be 'rare' (PA)The historic statue, which was designed in the early 1770s, sits in a grotto once decorated with shells, coral, and gemstones, beside a manmade serpentine lake. As per the National Trust, the statue itself was manufactured in either the mid-1780s or 1802.