Climate change protesters target a copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” at the Royal Academy of Arts in London on Tuesday, affixing “No New Oil” to the frame of the painting and spray-painting himself Was being
The protest, organized by supporters of the campaign group “Just Stop Oil”, came a day after two activists of the group were arrested after sticking themselves in the frame of John Constable’s “The Hey Wayne” in London’s National Gallery.
On Tuesday, five workers went to the Royal Academy and held each hand in the frame of “The Last Supper,” a full-size copy of da Vinci’s famous 15th-century work.
The Metropolitan Police said three men and two women were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. The Royal Academy said the gallery room was closed to the public and that police were called “at the request of the protesters.”
“Just Stop Oil”, which wants the government to stop licensing new oil and gas projects, has staged a series of attention-grabbing protests over the past week.
On Monday, two activists were arrested after the constable’s 1821 “The He Wayne” was covered with large sheets of paper depicting “an apocalyptic vision of the future.” He then placed his hand on the frame of the oil painting and protested as security personnel pulled out a group of tourists and school children.
The National Gallery stated that there was “slight damage” to the frame of the painting and “there was also some disruption to the surface of the varnish on the painting,” but both were repaired and the painting was re-hanged.
“Just Stop Oil” workers also disrupted a British Grand Prix race on Sunday as they sat on the track during a stop at a Formula One race in Silverstone, southern England.
Police said the six men were charged with conspiracy to create public nuisance at the race.
