The National Trust has been left “dismayed” by the scrawling of blue crayon over a two-centuries-old statue in Worcestershire.
On Saturday, bright blue markings were discovered all over the face, arms and torso of a statue at Croome Court designed by the renowned sculptor John Bacon.
A memorial to the landscape architect Lancelot “Capability” Brown, who designed the 18th-century mansion and surrounding park at Croome, was also defaced.
“We are dismayed that this has happened,” a National Trust spokesperson said. “Disappointing as they are, incidents like this are very rare considering the millions of visitors who enjoy and respect the places in our care.”
The trust said it had taken advice from conservators on how best to clean the statue.
“We are pleased to report we have been able to remove the crayon from the Sabrina statue this morning, so it can once again be fully enjoyed by visitors,” the spokesperson said. “We are still in the process of cleaning the Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown memorial.”
The statue of Sabrina, a water nymph, is made from Coade stone and is situated in a grotto that was originally decorated with shells, coral and gems.
The date of its manufacture is disputed and is thought to be from either the mid-1780s or 1802.
The trust said it was “upsetting that the actions of a few” meant the statue and memorial could not be fully enjoyed by visitors while being cleaned.
“The overwhelming majority of visitors to Croome at the weekend were respectful to the place and to each other, enabling everyone to enjoy themselves and create wonderful memories with family and friends,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier this year, the National Trust said it would cost thousands of pounds to clean graffiti off the 179-year-old Penshaw Monument in Sunderland, after the 20-metre-high memorial was daubed with obscenities in bright blue spray paint.
