UK climate activists target 'Rokeby Venus' painting / Photo: Daniel LEAL - AFP
-
Trump steps up pressure for deals as US tariff deadline nears
-
Iran president says Israel attempted to assassinate him
-
Russia says minister fired by Putin killed himself
-
Ex-All Black Nonu extends Toulon deal, aged 43
-
Stocks diverge as US tariff deadline looms
-
French court dismisses government Covid response probe
-
Children's camp confirms 27 dead, with Texas flood toll over 80
-
BRICS' criticism brings Trump 10% tariff threat
-
Houses made from rice: Kyrgyzstan's eco-friendly revolution
-
Croatia govt lashed over 'disgraceful neo-fascist Woodstock'
-
Victims of London 7/7 attacks remembered as king hails 'spirit of unity'
-
Poland starts border checks with Germany in anti-migrant clampdown
-
Wiaan Mulder: slow ascent to Test cricket's batting heights
-
England coach McCullum says paceman Archer 'ready to go' against India
-
Djokovic, Sinner on Wimbledon collision course
-
Vaughan says Crawley 'lucky' to have so many England caps
-
Russian forces claim first foothold in new Ukraine region
-
US envoy says satisfied with Lebanese response on disarming of Hezbollah
-
European stocks, dollar firm as US tariff deadline looms
-
Wimbledon blames 'human error' for embarrassing line-calling glitch
-
Three things learned from British Grand Prix
-
NGOs laud tougher Malaysia plastic trash import laws
-
Mulder makes highest South Africa Test score
-
UK marks London 7/7 attacks as king hails 'spirit of unity'
-
Apple appeals 500-mn-euro EU fine
-
Crowds celebrate Nepal ex-king's birthday in show of support
-
Bali flights nixed after huge Indonesia volcano eruption
-
Hamas, Israel resume talks as Netanyahu set to meet Trump
-
Hong Kong fans queue for opening of Cristiano Ronaldo exhibition
-
Itoje back as Lions take no chances against ACT Brumbies
-
Stock markets struggle as Trump's tariff deadline looms
-
Nearly 450,000 Afghans left Iran since June 1: IOM
-
North Korea bars Western influencers from trade fair tour
-
Typhoon Danas kills two, injures hundreds in Taiwan
-
Dutch coastal village turns to tech to find lost fishermen
-
Boxer Chavez's appeal against arrest if deported from US rejected: Mexico prosecutor
-
India captain Gill hailed back home after 'brilliant' Test win
-
The making of Australia's mushroom murders
-
Indonesia volcano spews 18-kilometre ash tower
-
Youthful Chelsea ready for Thiago Silva reunion at Club World Cup
-
Australian inquiry cites racism in Indigenous shooting
-
Djokovic wary despite Wimbledon form, dominant Sinner faces Dimitrov
-
Australian woman found guilty of triple murder with toxic mushrooms
-
Indonesia volcano spews 18-kilometre ash tower: agency
-
Trump says to send first tariff letters on Monday
-
The strange case of Evgeniya Mayboroda, Russia's rebel retiree
-
Asian markets drop as Trump's tariff deadline looms
-
Under-strength Brumbies eye 'big opportunity' against Lions
-
Macron to rekindle relationship with Francophile King Charles on UK visit
-
Trump hosts Netanyahu, hopes for Israel-Hamas deal 'this week'
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.
P.Silva--AMWN
