Rothko Chapel’s Triptych on the Mend after Hurricane Beryl
The Rothko Chapel’s east side triptych is still undergoing restoration after sustaining water damage from Hurricane Beryl. Despite this, the quiet space remains a powerful and moving experience for visitors.
A Brief History of the Chapel’s Damage
Hurricane Beryl’s estimated 10 to 14 inches of rain in June and July 2024 caused between $2.5 and $4.5 billion in damages, some of which affected the 54-year-old nondenominational gathering place. A clogged drain on the east side of the building led to water leaking down the walls and soaking the triptych and another painting on the southeast corner. Four of the chapel’s 14 total paintings needed repairs, along with the structure itself.
Restoration Efforts
The chapel was closed indefinitely in August for restoration, which included cleaning up water, fixing paintings, and addressing building weak points. The team worked tirelessly to ensure the chapel received the care and attention it deserved. The painting on the southeast wall has since been restored and placed back in its original location.
The Restoration Process
When the water damage was discovered, the Menil conservation team was brought in to support the process. The team took the paintings off the wall, dried them out, and stabilized them before moving them to conservation labs for further treatment. The painting on the southeast was restored on-site, with the exact processes used to reverse the damage being proprietary. However, the decision to treat a painting on- or off-site involves an extensive risk assessment process.
Current Status and Future Plans
The removed paintings are still in the early stages of restoration, with no solid timeline for when they will be returned to their original location. A large blank spot remains on the east wall, but it doesn’t diminish the powerful silence and presence inside the chapel.
Long-term Plans and Climate Change
The painter and the de Menil family who commissioned the chapel had clear visions for the space, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hurricane Beryl didn’t open up new opportunities for the chapel to experiment with new aesthetics. Leslie and his team wanted to keep things the same as they ever were, calling it "restoration, not renovation."
Community Support and Future Programming
Donations poured in from around the world, even from small towns the team had never heard of before. The global community showed its solidarity with the Rothko Chapel during a dark period in its history. The chapel’s schedule of free and low-cost programming will resume on January 15, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
Addressing Climate Change
Leslie notes that frequent conversations about the impact of climate change on the arts need to continue, alongside those looking at its broader harm. The chapel has taken measures to counteract the ravages of severe weather, including moving energy systems above ground and purchasing flood gates. Leslie believes that smaller arts and culture organizations, like the Rothko Chapel, need to learn more about their vulnerabilities in the face of climate change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current status of the triptych on the east side?
A: The triptych is still undergoing restoration after sustaining water damage from Hurricane Beryl.
Q: What was the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl?
A: The estimated 10 to 14 inches of rain caused between $2.5 and $4.5 billion in damages, some of which affected the Rothko Chapel.
Q: What steps is the chapel taking to address the impact of climate change?
A: The chapel is taking measures to counteract the ravages of severe weather, including moving energy systems above ground and purchasing flood gates.
Q: When can visitors expect to see the restored paintings back in their original location?
A: There is no solid timeline for when the removed paintings will be returned to their original location. The process is ongoing, and the chapel will announce updates as necessary.
