Montreal police took action against a climate protester who splashed pink paint on a protected Picasso artwork at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art (MMFA) on June 19. The painting, “L’Hétaire” (1901), was covered with glass, preventing any immediate damage.
A 21-year-old man was arrested for mischief following the incident, which was captured by two individuals filming on the scene. While the others were not charged, the protester was released with a court date pending. MMFA stated that the paint used was water-based and that there were no visible signs of damage to the artwork. The museum is currently conducting a thorough review of the situation.
The exhibition at the museum was briefly closed to visitors but reopened shortly after. The portrait has been temporarily removed from display for further assessment. The protesters were associated with Last Generation Canada, an environmentalist group that posted footage of the incident on social media platforms.
The demonstration aimed to draw attention to the wildfires ravaging western and northern Canada, with over 200 fires reported, a substantial number of which are out of control. The group called for action against climate disasters and criticized the lack of protection for affected residents. The protesters highlighted the role of billionaires and corporations in exacerbating climate change and profiting from fossil fuels.
MMFA Director Stéphane Aquin expressed disappointment over the incident, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage preservation and collaboration between museums and artists in advocating for a better world. The Picasso painting, part of an exhibition on French Modern art dealer Berthe Weill, is on loan from the Pinacoteca Agnelli in Turin, Italy.
In a press release, Last Generation Canada urged the Canadian government to establish a Climate Disaster Protection Agency to support those impacted by wildfires and hold wealthy individuals and corporations accountable for environmental damage. The group called for a disruption of the status quo to ensure the well-being of Canadians and address the consequences of climate change.
