UK climate activists target 'Rokeby Venus' painting / Photo: Daniel LEAL - AFP
-
Ukraine hits major Russian oil port near Finland
-
EU chief in Australia as trade talks enter 'last mile'
-
UK police probe attack on Jewish ambulances
-
Oil prices slide, European stocks rebound on Trump's Iran remarks
-
Trump announces 'very good' talks with Iran on ending war
-
Arsenal's White gets first England call-up since 2022
-
Greece train tragedy trial adjourned amid courtroom chaos
-
Tottenham face key call as relegation threat grows
-
German court rejects landmark climate case against BMW, Mercedes
-
Trump lifts Iran threat after 'very good' talks on ending war
-
Iran defies Trump Hormuz ultimatum with naval mine threat
-
African players in Europe: Awoniyi seals key win for lowly Forest
-
France ex-PM Lionel Jospin dies aged 88
-
Runway collision kills two pilots, shutters New York airport
-
Hodgkinson in 'shape of her life' with eye on Kratochvilova's record
-
Griezmann given go-ahead to talk with Orlando City
-
Mideast war threatens energy crisis worse than 1970s oil shocks
-
Pilot, co-pilot killed in runway collision at New York airport
-
Plane, fire truck collide on runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport
-
Russia's Max: The unencrypted super-app being forced on citizens
-
EU chief in Australia with eyes on trade deal
-
Asia champions Japan need 'different tools' to win World Cup - coach
-
Global economy under 'major threat' from Strait of Hormuz crisis: IEA chief
-
Planet trapped record heat in 2025: UN
-
Israel launches new strikes on Tehran as Iran takes aim at Gulf sites
-
German court to rule in climate case against automakers
-
France's leftists win mayoral elections in largest cities
-
Asian stocks tumble as Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum
-
Wolves rally past Celtics, Nuggets sink Blazers
-
Middle East war to dominate Houston's 'Davos of Energy'
-
Kim holds off Korda charge to win LPGA Founders Cup
-
Trump orders immigration agents to airports amid crippling budget standoff
-
Wellgistics Health Inc. Signs $105,000,000 Letter of Intent to Evaluate Potential Acquisition of Neuritek Therapeutics, Inc. which is Pioneering Innovative Therapies for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
-
From Chat to Camera: Safer LGBTQ Dating in the Video Era
-
Iran awaits Trump threat to blow up power plants
-
Alcaraz eyes clay court season after early Miami exit
-
Real Madrid down Atletico in derby, leaders Barca edge Rayo
-
Korda sends Alcaraz to another early exit in Miami
-
Bordeaux-Begles hammer Toulouse in Dupont absence
-
Slovenia PM claims election win as results show neck and neck finish
-
England's Fitzpatrick birdies 18th to win PGA Valspar title
-
Man City's League Cup glory adds twist to title race
-
Leftists win mayoral elections in Paris and Marseille
-
Vinicius double helps Real Madrid edge Atletico thriller
-
Doncic cleared to face Pistons after foul rescinded: NBA
-
Inter's Serie A lead cut to six with Fiorentina draw, Como march on
-
World No.1 Alcaraz beaten by Korda in Miami Open third round
-
Cuba starts to restore power after new blackout
-
Ovechkin nets 1,000th combined NHL season-playoffs goal
-
Undav doubles up as Stuttgart down Augsburg to go third
UK climate activists target 'Rokeby Venus' painting
Climate protesters on Monday smashed the glass cover of the "Rokeby Venus" painting by Spanish artist Diego Velazquez at London's National Portrait Gallery, in the latest protest against fossil fuels.
Two Just Stop Oil protesters in their twenties attacked the painting that suffragette Mary Richardson slashed in 1914, the group said in a statement.
"At around 10:45 am (1045 GMT) Hanan, 22, and Harrison, 20, used safety hammers to smash the glass covering the Rokeby Venus," said the group, which is demanding a halt to all new oil and gas projects in the UK.
"They then addressed the gallery by saying: 'Women did not get the vote by voting; it is time for deeds not words. It is time to Just Stop Oil'."
The Metropolitan Police confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that two Just Stop Oil activists had been arrested for criminal damage.
"The glass protecting a painting at the National Gallery has been vandalised," it said, adding that more activists were slow marching on Whitehall, the road that hosts many UK government buildings.
Hanan, a student from London, said: "Over 100 years ago, the suffragette Mary Richardson attacked the Rokeby Venus portrait for the unjust imprisonment of Emmeline Pankhurst. Today I have used similar methods in the fight for climate justice."
The gallery said the pair "appeared to strike" the glass protecting the painting with "what appeared to be emergency rescue hammers" and that the room was cleared of visitors.
"The painting is now being removed from display so it can be examined by conservators," it added.
The Rokeby Venus was completed between 1647 and 1651 and depicts the goddess Venus lying on a bed gazing into a mirror held up by her son Cupid.
In 1914, in a protest against the imprisonment of fellow suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, Richardson left seven slashes on the painting, though all were successfully repaired.
Just Stop Oil protesters have conducted regular protests around the UK, blocking traffic and disrupting sporting and cultural events.
They have also targeted the National Gallery before.
Last year protesters glued their hands to the frame of the painting "The Hay Wain" by English artist John Constable.
T.Resende--PC
