Boredom Strikes: A Security Guard's Costly Doodle

A simple doodle by a bored security guard didn’t just cost him his job, but also resulted in a criminal investigation: the guard, whose name has been withheld, found himself unoccupied at the Yeltsin Center in Yekaterinburg, where valuable paintings were on display in a prestigious exhibition.

In an act of boredom, the guard casually doodled on one of the paintings with a ballpoint pen, only to later discover the gravity of his mistake: the artwork was worth thousands of dollars, and its restoration now requires the expertise of a specialized art conservator.

The artwork, known in Russian as "Три фигуры" or ‘Three Figures’, was created by Russian artist Anna Leporskaya. The original painting features three faceless figures, but the guard, finding it dull, decided to scribble eyes on them. As if that wasn’t bad enough, it turns out the incident occurred on his very first day of employment through a contracting company.

The employee admitted to doodling 'out of boredom', not realizing the painting’s immense value. "I didn’t know these paintings were so expensive," he claimed. His actions led to his dismissal and a police report being filed against him.

Sources familiar with the case revealed that while the true value of ‘Three Figures’ is unclear, the painting is insured for over a million dollars. It has since been sent to an expert in art restoration who noted that the damage is relatively minor and can be repaired without issue. Nevertheless, the restoration costs are estimated to exceed $3,300, which the security company has already agreed to cover.

The local police have begun investigating the guard for vandalism. If convicted, he could face a fine of over $500 or even a year of community service.