Old Masters Picture Gallery in Dresden |
Climate chaos cling to “Sistine Madonna”.
Dresden – Police operation in the State Art Collections (SKD) in Dresden!
What are the climate chaotic people actually afraid of? Two members of the “Last Generation” glued themselves to one of the most famous paintings in the world in Dresden this morning.
The shocked security guard first panicked and asked the activists behind the barrier to move away from there. Then he realized that they would probably stay there for a while. The vandals used superglue to attach themselves to the golden frame of the “Sistine Madonna” in the Old Masters Picture Gallery.
The picture gallery had to be closed to visitors because of the action
They want to show solidarity with Christian Bläul (40).who is sitting behind Swedish curtains for nine days because of an adhesive campaign carried out in Stockholm.
The police were alerted at around 12:09 p.m. Emergency services immediately approached with several patrol cars and blocked access to the picture gallery. Up to 60 visitors were waiting in front of the gates for the police to free the “Sistine Madonna” from the clutches of the climate chaos Jakob Beyer (28) and Maike Grunst (21). But the gallery will probably remain closed until 3 p.m. for the work of forensics.
Sebastian Hecht, the responsible department head in the Ministry of Tourism: “Fortunately, there was no damage to the work of art itself, but to the frame. The frame itself is quite valuable, so it is something that will definitely be criminal and will certainly lead to investigations.”
Anke Priewe, spokeswoman for the SKD, is shocked: “We are observing very closely what is happening in the art landscape and we have already tightened the safety precautions. There was security right next to the painting but it was so quick.”
After about an hour, the activists were taken away by the police
When asked how something like this should be prevented in the future, Priewe was at a loss: “If you want to make art accessible to people, you have to take the risk. Pockets aren’t allowed here anyway, but you can stick superglue like that in your bra without being noticed.”
With the action on the famous painting, the Kleber wants to make it clear that the climate catastrophe can no longer be ignored, said a spokeswoman for the group “Last Generation”. They chose the “Sistine Madonna” for their campaign because it is considered a strong symbol and the activists believe that the interpretation of the image fits the climate crisis.
Jakob Beyer (28) is taken away by police officers and gets into a police car
Kleberin Maike (21): “Mary and Jesus look to the future with fear. They look forward to Christ’s death on the cross. An equally predictable death will also be the result of climate collapse. And all over the world.”
According to the public prosecutor’s office, “damage to public property” is being investigated. As BILD learned, an application for arrest was examined. However, no reasons for detention (including the risk of absconding) were identified. Therefore, the two climate chaos remain at large.
Securing evidence in front of the picture gallery in Dresden