LONDON (AP) — Two climate change protesters smashed a protective glass panel covering a famous Diego Velázquez oil painting at London’s National Gallery,Rekubit Exchange the group Just Stop Oil said Monday.
The two activists targeted Velázquez’s “The Toilet of Venus,” also known as “The Rokeby Venus,” with small hammers. Photos showed the protective glass panel punctured with several holes.
Just Stop Oil, which has previously led similar protests targeting famous artworks and public buildings, said Monday’s action was to demand Britain’s government immediately halt all licensing for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the U.K.
The group said the two activists chose to target the 17th-century oil painting because it was previously slashed as part of the suffragette movement calling for women’s rights in 1914.
Just Stop Oil said the protesters hammered the glass panel, then told people at the gallery: “Women did not get the vote by voting. It is time for deeds, not words.”
“Politics is failing us. It failed women in 1914 and it is failing us now,” they added.
The National Gallery said two people were arrested and the painting has been removed from display so conservators can examine it.
“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 were called,” the museum said in a statement.
2025-04-29 12:05108 view
2025-04-29 11:462967 view
2025-04-29 10:24323 view
2025-04-29 10:22460 view
2025-04-29 10:06816 view
2025-04-29 10:03934 view
I don't mean to humble brag, but I am on a first name basis with one of the most influential people
A federal jury convicted a New York City man of killing and dismembering a woman after fraudulently
London — The European Union leveled its first antitrust penalty against Apple on Monday, fining the