In an act of environmental protest that captured international attention, two members of the German activist group Letzte Generation found themselves in hot water after they glued their hands to the frame of Raphael’s iconic 16th-century masterpiece, Sistine Madonna, in the Old Masters Picture Gallery in Dresden. Now, the activists, Jakob Beyer and Maike Grunst, are facing the consequences of their actions as the Dresden prosecutor’s office imposes fines on them.
According to a report from the dpa German Press Agency, Beyer and Grunst have been fined €1,500 ($1,600) each for their bold demonstration. Although the Raphael painting remained unharmed, the gallery incurred damage to the frame due to the activists’ actions. The estimated cost of property damage amounted to €2,300 ($2,560), and the gallery also reported a substantial income loss of €7,000 ($7,793) after being compelled to close temporarily to address the situation.
The Dresden State Art Collections (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, or SKD) did not take the matter lightly and filed a complaint with the public prosecutor’s office, leading to the initiation of civil proceedings for damages. As a consequence, Beyer and Grunst have been banned from all SKD locations, sending a clear message that such acts of protest will not be tolerated.
In response to the protest, the activists released a statement, trying to draw a connection between the climate crisis and Raphael’s masterpiece. Grunst conveyed, “The internationally known Sistine Madonna is a powerful symbol: 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!”
The duo claimed that their act of defiance was in solidarity with fellow Letzte Generation member Christian Bläul, who faced arrest after gluing his hands to a motorway in Stockholm, Sweden, just a week before their protest. Bläul was sentenced to nine days in prison for his actions, adding to the gravity of the situation and further highlighting the passion and commitment of these climate activists.
Beyer, speaking after the demonstration at the Old Masters Picture Gallery, reiterated the urgency of the climate crisis, stating, “The climate catastrophe is an unprecedented threat of incredible proportions. Killer droughts, crushing heat, all-consuming forest fires: this will increase dramatically in the coming years. Not only here in Germany… But worldwide!”
While their protest has drawn attention to the vital issue of climate change, it has also sparked debates about the appropriate methods of activism. While some view their actions as courageous and necessary to raise awareness, others criticize the damage caused to historical and cultural artifacts.
As the fines are imposed and the legal proceedings unfold, the world waits to see how this incident will shape the climate activism movement and the measures taken to address the pressing issue of climate change. As the voices of activists grow louder, so too does the call for governments and individuals to take meaningful action in tackling the ever-looming climate crisis.