LONDON –
Climate change protesters targeted a copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper at London’s Royal Academy of Arts on Tuesday, clinging to the painting’s frame and spray-painting “No New Oil” next to it.
The protest, organized by supporters of the Just Stop Oil campaign, came a day after two activists from the group were arrested after clinging to John Constable’s “The Hay Wain” frame at London’s National Gallery.
On Tuesday, five activists entered the Royal Academy and attached one hand to 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 hall was closed to the public and that the police had been “called in at the request of the protesters”.
Just Stop Oil, which wants the government to stop handing out licenses for new oil and gas projects, has staged a series of high-profile protests over the past week.
On Monday, two activists were arrested after covering Constable’s 1821 “The Hay Wain” with large sheets of paper depicting an “apocalyptic vision of the future”. They then each taped a hand to the frame of the oil painting and protested as security officers led out tourists and a group of students.
The National Gallery said the frame of the painting “suffered minor damage” and “there was also some damage to the varnish surface on the painting”, but both were fixed and the painting was re-hung.
“Just Stop Oil” activists also disrupted Sunday’s British Grand Prix when they sat on the track during a stoppage of the Formula 1 race in Silverstone, southern England.
Police said six people were charged with conspiracy to cause a public disturbance during the race.
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