A large statue in central Reykjavík was targeted by vandals Wednesday night, RÚV reports. The Einar Jónsson statue “Outlaws” was painted top to bottom in a metallic gold.
The Reykjavík Art Museum says cleanup will take several days and specialists have been assigned to the task due to the cultural value of the work.
“Outlaws” has long stood in a grassy area to the south of Hólavallagarður cemetery, overlooking Hringbraut and the university library beyond. The sculpture depicts a man carrying the body of his dead wife on his back and their only child in his arms. Einar unveiled the sculpture in Denmark in 1901. Though it wasn’t a hit with Danes, it was a fast favourite of Icelanders, who saw the national psyche reflected in the struggle and strife Einar captured.
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