A Claude Monet painting was the latest target of climate protesters in Europe. On Sunday, two activists threw mashed potatoes over the “Les Meules” painting at Potsdam’s Barberini Museum.
The activists belonged to the group Last Generation and confirmed the act of vandalism on Twitter.
The demonstrators, clad in orange vests, glued themselves to the wall, similar to prior climate change protests.
ABC News reports that the painting was encased in glass and that there was no lasting damage to the painting. The work of art is valued at about $109 million. It is expected to be back on display by Wednesday.
“While I understand the activists’ urgent concern in the face of the climate catastrophe, I am shocked by the means with which they are trying to lend weight to their demands,” said museum director Ortrud Westheider in a statement.
This isn’t the first time climate activists have targeted valuable artwork to draw attention to climate change. Earlier this month, British group Just Stop Oil threw tomato soup on Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” in London’s National Gallery. The painting is valued at about $85 million.
After tossing the soup on the painting, they also glued themselves to the wall.
The same group previously had activists glue themselves to the frame of an early copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” on display at London’s Royal Academy of Arts and to John Constable’s “The Hay Wain” in the National Gallery.
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