In a shocking turn of events, two climate activists associated with the group Just Stop Oil have smashed the protective glass surrounding Diego Velázquez’s 17th-century masterpiece, “Rokeby Venus,” at London’s National Gallery. This act of protest has ignited debates and has cast a spotlight on the intersection of activism and cultural preservation.
No, the damage is yet to be determined. Conservation efforts will play a crucial role in assessing and restoring the artwork.
The activists have been arrested for criminal damage, the legal process will determine the specific charges and following consequences.
Public reactions varied; social media platforms became a battleground for diverse perspectives about the activists’ actions.
The painting has a turbulent history, marked by a suffragette Mary Raleigh Richardson in 1914. Its symbolic value adds complexity to the recent act of protest.
Just Stop Oil advocates for urgent climate action, and protest methods aims to display the urgency of addressing environmental issues.
In the moment captured on Just Stop Oil’s account on X displays, two activists wearing distinctive white Just Stop Oil t-shirts breaking the protective glass around Velázquez’s masterpiece.
Just Stop Oil activist relay a statement after the smashing the artwork “Women did not get a vote by voting. It is time for deeds and not words. It is time to just stop oil. Politics is failing us. Politics failed women in 1914. If millions will die due to new oil and gas licensing. Millions! If we love history, if we love art and if we love our families, we must just stop oil.”
The “Rokeby Venus” finds itself in history once again, reminding us of the suffragette Mary Raleigh Richardson who slashed the artwork during protest in 1914. This historical context adds layers to the current act of defiance.
The National Gallery posted on X November 6th that visitors had be evacuated and the police were called; resulting in the two-activist arrested. The National Gallery also announced the removal of the painting for examination by conservators, underlining the institution’s commitment to preserving cultural treasures.
At just before 11am this morning (6 November 2023) two people entered Room 30 of the National Gallery.
— National Gallery (@NationalGallery) November 6, 2023
The pair appeared to strike The Toilet of Venus (‘The Rokeby Venus’) by Velázquez with what appeared to be emergency rescue hammers. The room was cleared of visitors and police…
The motivations behind this dramatic act is showing the commitment that drives Just Stop Oil activists to such extremes.
The Metropolitan Police wasted no time in arresting the activists, shedding insight on their X profile that they are arrested for criminal damage.
🦺 | Two Just Stop Oil activists have been arrested for criminal damage.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 6, 2023
The glass protecting a painting at the National Gallery has been vandalised.
We will provide updates of JSO activity for today on this thread.
While all eyes were on the National Gallery, Just Stop Oil activists gathered in Whitehall, amplifying their message in a location steeped in historical significance
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