# Steve Wynn damages a SECOND Picasso before selling it - #picassotoo!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 15, 2018, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216 "2018-05-15T14:27:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/1 "2018-05-15T14:27:51Z")
Steve Wynn, casino billionaire and recently-outed #metoo abuser who has been moved out of his company, just did it again: he suffers from a degenerative eye disease. Years ago, he put his elbow through a $155 million dollar Picasso. A month ago, he did it again, putting his arm through a different Picasso estimated to sell for $70 million before being taken off the docket so it can be restored. Can you imagine? > **[Pablo Picasso Painting, Valued at $70 Million, Is Damaged Before Sale...](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/arts/design/picasso-painting-damaged-christies.html?mabReward=CBMG1&recid=14e10LcO1AbATUoCDJw4XvSNigf&recp=7&action=click&pgtype=Homepage®ion=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine)** > > “Le Marin,” a 1943 painting, was “accidentally damaged” on Friday and was withdrawn from Christie’s Tuesday evening auction so it could be restored. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/2 "2018-05-15T14:30:48Z")
Okay, once seemed like a dumb accident. But now I thinking there’s an insurance scam or something. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/3 "2018-05-15T14:38:40Z")
Considering how he got the state to re-write it’s art tax laws, you’re prolly not far off the mark, **Little Nemo**. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/4 "2018-05-15T14:41:02Z")
The NYT article linked to in the OP says the painting was damaged and that it was owned by Steve Wynn but I didn’t see where it said that he was the one who damaged it. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/5 "2018-05-15T14:57:43Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The NYT article linked to in the OP says the painting was damaged and that it was owned by Steve Wynn but I didn’t see where it said that he was the one who damaged it. Rereading, yes, it is not clarified who actually damaged it. But it seems to lean towards an inference that’s Wynn who was doing the Hokey-Pokey 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/6 "2018-05-15T15:25:51Z")
Perhaps. But this damage occurred during the presale exhibition at the auction house. Would he have any reason to be there? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/7 "2018-05-15T15:30:00Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Perhaps. But this damage occurred during the presale exhibition at the auction house. Would he have any reason to be there? I thought it was a fun, interesting story. Past that, I am not Mr. Painting Detective so have no clue. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/8 "2018-05-15T15:33:38Z")
TBH, I’ve had to fight off a similar urge when looking at a Picasso. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/9 "2018-05-15T15:46:00Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > Perhaps. But this damage occurred during the presale exhibition at the auction house. Would he have any reason to be there? > > I thought it was a fun, interesting story. Past that, I am not Mr. Painting Detective so have no clue. Apparently it’s more fun when you jump to conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/10 "2018-05-15T16:06:33Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Apparently it’s more fun when you jump to conclusions. Hey, as long as I don’t jump through a Picasso, right? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/11 "2018-05-15T16:25:28Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > TBH, I’ve had to fight off a similar urge when looking at a Picasso. Same for me with Mark Rothko. But as I keep being told: if you haven’t educated yourself about the piece, then you’re the one at fault, not the artist. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/12 "2018-05-15T17:34:26Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Okay, once seemed like a dumb accident. But now I thinking there’s an insurance scam or something. Could also be a really weird and specific fetish. I mean, he _says_ those holes were made by his arms… ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/13 "2018-05-15T17:37:43Z")
There used to be a radio series _Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar_, about an insurance detective. This case would be perfect for him, although I’m not sure what the Foley sound effect for an arm through a painting would be. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/14 "2018-05-15T18:01:43Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > There used to be a radio series _Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar_, about an insurance detective. This case would be perfect for him, although I’m not sure what the Foley sound effect for an arm through a painting would be. Dropping a five-pound bag of flour two feet onto hard floor. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/15 "2018-05-15T18:09:09Z")
> [@Dendarii Dame](#): > > I’m not sure what the Foley sound effect for an arm through a painting would be. > [@Pleonast](#): > > Dropping a five-pound bag of flour two feet onto hard floor. I was gonna go with “Me, doing a full squat in my old, worn-thin and now-waaayyyy-too-small jeans.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/16 "2018-05-15T18:09:17Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Same for me with Mark Rothko. But as I keep being told: if you haven’t educated yourself about the piece, then you’re the one at fault, not the artist. Nah, it just doesn’t speak to you. I had no idea what Rothko was about, but I was immediately floored when I saw his work in an art museum for the first time. Different strokes (pun slightly intended). Education doesn’t hurt, but it’s not required. I’m still not sure what Rothko’s philosophy was; I just know I love his paintings when I see them in person. But it’s not the artist’s fault if it doesn’t touch you. I’m not sure if I’d phrase it as it’s your “fault,” but it just doesn’t speak to you. Artists are not trying to please everyone, of course. (And the same could be said of anything from literature to food to music, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/17 "2018-05-15T18:22:02Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Same for me with Mark Rothko. But as I keep being told: if you haven’t educated yourself about the piece, then you’re the one at fault, not the artist. Oh, I don’t dislike all his work. Just some of it. > [@pulykamell](#): > > Nah, it just doesn’t speak to you. I had no idea what Rothko was about, but I was immediately floored when I saw his work in an art museum for the first time. Different strokes (pun slightly intended). Education doesn’t hurt, but it’s not required. I’m still not sure what Rothko’s philosophy was; I just know I love his paintings when I see them in person. But it’s not the artist’s fault if it doesn’t touch you. I’m not sure if I’d phrase it as it’s your “fault,” but it just doesn’t speak to you. Artists are not trying to please everyone, of course. (And the same could be said of anything from literature to food to music, etc.) I’m the same way about Jackson Pollock. It’s completely absurd stuff but I generally love it in person. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/18 "2018-05-15T18:33:35Z")
Pollock is perhaps my favorite, and I just get lost in his paintings when I see them in person. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/19 "2018-05-15T21:19:10Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > There used to be a radio series _Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar_, about an insurance detective. This case would be perfect for him, although I’m not sure what the Foley sound effect for an arm through a painting would be. Where’s Banacek when you need him? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steve-wynn-damages-a-second-picasso-before-selling-it-picassotoo/814216/20 "2018-05-15T23:30:29Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Pollock is perhaps my favorite, and I just get lost in his paintings when I see them in person. Yeah, I like Pollock. His stuff is wild and uninhibited, but makes a sort of weird sense. And I don’t mind Mondrian or Miro. My wife is a docent at the art museum here and very well educated in many genres. She loves Rothko, and I’ve heard her talk about his pieces and seen the films about him and his work. While I agree that he put a huge amount of effort and himself into the work (mixing his own pigments and all that layering), it just doesn’t trip my switch. My brain just says “Oh look, a black square and a red square. . .where’s the coffee shop?”