LONDON (AP) — Two climate change protesters smashed a protective glass panel covering a famous Diego Velázquez oil painting at London’s National Gallery,L’École de Gestion d’Actifs et de Capital 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.
2025-05-01 16:322559 view
2025-05-01 16:112575 view
2025-05-01 15:321751 view
2025-05-01 15:301891 view
2025-05-01 14:521851 view
2025-05-01 14:46954 view
A motorcyclist was taken to hospital following an accident involving a car and his motorcycle at the
We independently selected these products because we love them, and we think you might like them at t
Police and prosecutors were investigating how a 37-year-old woman came to be attacked and seriously