Woman attacks Gauguin painting at National Gallery

WASHINGTON The unusual incident happened late Friday afternoon. Museum visitors tell The Washington Post that a woman tried to pull Gauguin's "Two Tahitian Women" off the wall and banged on its clear plastic covering. Witnesses say the woman was screaming, "This is evil."

Gallery spokeswoman Deborah Ziska says the woman was restrained by the museum's federal protection services officers and charged with destruction of property and attempted theft. She says no damage to the 1899 painting was immediately apparent but that a more thorough examination is scheduled for Monday.

The painting depicts the women as partially nude. It's part of a special Gauguin exhibit.