Monday morning did not come easily for art lovers this week. Heartbreaking news broke early Monday that the glass to the infamous Rokeby Venus by Diego Velazquez was intentionally smashed. The culprits were taking part in a climate protest organized by Just Stop Oil (“JSO”).
Our firm wrote about JSO’s past string of protests here. We also have written about the mysterious Rokeby Venus – and its purported ability to drive viewers mad – here. Check both posts out to obtain context for this recent attack.
The slashed Rokeby Venus. Image via artinsociety.com.
It is odd that the painting at the heart of this strange, unsound attack was the alluring Rokeby Venus. Perhaps the same mysterious, deluded forces that have caused past owners and viewers to lose their faculties were at play?
JSO states that this piece was specifically selected – but not for its superstitions. Instead, JSO claims an arguably logical connection for choosing this painting for destruction. As JSO explained in a public statement on Nov.6th, “Women did not get the vote by voting [reference the 1914 attack by women’s rights activist Mary Richardson], it is time for deeds not words.”
JSO continued: “It is time to Just Stop Oil. Politics is failing us. It failed women in 1914 and it is failing us now. New oil and gas will kill millions. If we love art, if we love life, if we love our families, we must Just Stop Oil.”
JSO climate protestors in an outdoor demonstration. Image via juststopoil.org
The Met Police thought otherwise. The two culprits were arrested for causing criminal damage to the work. It’s safe to say that people in the art industry feel that these climate-driven protests have gone too far. Prior to this protest, JSO’s demonstrations have been merely superficial (and carefully planned as to not cause permanent damage). However, real damage was done this time.
Smashing the glass sets a new – and dangerous – precedent for possible protests in museums worldwide. Criminal-level damage to precious, irreplaceable piece of art and cultural heritage risks destroying crucial pieces of global history.
Our firm sincerely hopes that JSO will find new mediums through which to express their message. We encourage JSO to engage in productive conversations with politicians and global oil producers – and to leave the work of poor Mr. Velazquez (and his contemporaries) out of it.