Germany: Museum of modern art sacks worker 'for putting his own painting on display'

9 April 2024, 13:11 | Updated: 9 April 2024, 14:56

An art museum in Germany has reportedly fired a member of staff after he put one of his own paintings on display.

The 51-year-old man hung one of his artworks at Munich's Pinakothek der Moderne in February "in the hope of achieving his artistic breakthrough", according to local media.

It was unclear how long the 60cm by 120cm painting remained on display.

However, a spokesperson for the gallery claimed it was noticed "immediately" by other staff and quickly taken down.

The man had access to exhibition rooms outside opening hours due to his job in the museum's technical services team.

His painting was returned to him and he has been banned from the site.

Police are also investigating a complaint of "wilful damage to property" as the worker allegedly drilled two holes into a wall to hang his painting.

The Pinakothek der Moderne is one of Europe's largest museums of contemporary and modern art.

Its permanent collection holds more than 20,000 works including paintings by Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee and Max Beckmann.