Topline
Two protesters smeared paint on the display case protecting an Edgar Degas sculpture at Washington, D.C.’s National Gallery of Art, the latest in a string of climate change demonstrations involving vandalizing fine art.
“Little Dancer” is protected in a plexiglass display case.
Key Facts
Two unnamed protesters dressed in black suits smeared red and black paint on the display case of “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen,” a small wax statue created in 1880.
Video footage posted by the Washington Post shows the two sitting in front of the vandalized display case and calling for leaders to “take serious action” to protect the environment and fight climate change.
Security guards handcuffed the two individuals, who have been detained, according to Kaywin Feldman, the director of the National Gallery of Art, who released a recorded statement after the incident.
The sculpture, which was protected by plexiglass, has been taken off display so experts can “assess potential damage,” Feldman said.
The museum “unequivocally denounces” the behavior, the director added.
Forbes reached out to the National Gallery and D.C. Police Department for further details on the protesters’ status.
Surprising Fact
“Little Dancer” is the only Degas sculpture ever exhibited publicly during the French artist’s lifetime. The National Gallery of Art displays the original sculpture, but several bronze casts have been made, including one that sold for $41.6 million last year.
Key Background
The “Little Dancer” demonstration is the latest in a string of climate protests that have impacted fine arts museums, but almost all have been in Europe. In October 2022, activists threw tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” while it was on display at London’s National Gallery and smeared mashed potatoes on a Claude Monet painting in Germany, though museum staff said the paintings were not damaged. A man also attacked Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” with cake in May 2022, and there were several incidents in the summer and fall where protesters glued themselves to or vandalized artwork. Activists involved have said the eye-catching demonstrations are meant to bring climate issues into the headlines. “This painting is not going to be worth anything if we have to fight over food,” said a protestor who threw mashed potatoes at a Monet.
Chief Critic
The International Council of Museums condemned protests that vandalize art, arguing the protesters “severely underestimate the fragility” of the work.
Further Reading
Climate protesters paint case housing Degas ballerina sculpture in D.C. (Washington Post)
Will Hurling Tomato Soup On Van Gogh’s Sunflowers Advance Climate Policy? (Forbes)
Gluing Hands To Art Masterpieces: The Latest Climate-Protest Stunt Spreading In Europe (Forbes)
Climate Activists Throw Black ‘Oil’ At Gustav Klimt’s ‘Death And Life’—Here Are All The Recent Protests Targeting Museums (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/katherinehamilton/2023/04/27/climate-protesters-smear-paint-on-little-dancer-sculpture-case-at-dc-museum/