Iconoclast

An iconoclast is a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc. as being based on error or superstition, or a breaker or destroyer of images, especially those set up for religious verneration. Iconoclasm has been around for almost as long as religion itself. The reasons behind this deliberate vandalism of religious artifacts vary from literal interpretation to the bible to political reasons. The first iconoclastic period was between 7256 and 730 and was spearheaded by the Byzantine Emperor Leo III the Isaurian. 

Modern iconoclasm is still just as controversial as it was in the beginning. One example of such an incident was in 1972 when Lazlo Toth attacked La Pieta a Michelangelo sculpture with a hammer while claiming to be Christ. This act led to calls for Toth's death as well as a nomination for a transgressive art performance award. 

Many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century preached destructive rhetoric. Duchamp himself was once quoted saying to "use a Rembrandt as an ironing board." But this school of thinking and the actual destruction of art are two different things. I feel like I am open to many different schools of thinking when it comes to art, but the destruction of religious or classic artwork can never be justified in my opinion.