Can climate activists sticking to a baroque painting increase the value of the work of art – as historical testimony to a time of upheaval in the face of climate change? This question was dealt with on Thursday before the district court in Munich. The reason was an incident in August 2022 in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, in which two men had stuck themselves to the valuable, gilded frame of the picture “The Bethlehemitische Kindermord” by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640).
The 25- and 60-year-olds are accused, among other things, of damaging property, a 24-year-old of aid because he had filmed the action. It is conceivable that the frame, which was soiled with glue residue despite the restoration, could be seen by future generations as a marker of a turning point in the social debate on climate change, said one of the defenders. That could increase its value.
A view that the general director of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, Bernhard Maaz, does not share. This is only an anecdotal value that does not increase by marketing the adhesive patches. According to Maaz, the traces on the 200-year-old gilded frame are now only visible to a trained eye. After detaching the hands, the restoration quickly began. According to him, this also applies to the woven wall covering of the room in which the painting, which is about three by two meters in size, hangs.
The art historian estimated the damage at around 38,000 euros to the frame and around 5,500 euros to the wall covering due to traces of the adhesive. The indictment mentions 50,000 euros, and the wall covering is worth 5,000 euros. The defendants, aged 60, 25 and 24, regretted having caused so much work. “We don’t want to destroy art, we don’t want to be terrorists,” said the 25-year-old, who had taped his hand.
The fact that it was the “Bethlehemite kidnapping” was well known. The depiction of babies being stolen from their mothers’ arms and murdered stands for the future robbery of young people, politics is driving everything against the wall, said the 60-year-old defendant, who stuck his fingertips to the picture. They cited the inaction of politicians as their motivation. So far, climate change has not been taken seriously. That is a danger for peace and stability, but also for the art treasures.
Neither Maaz nor the public prosecutor’s office agreed to her suggestion that the charges be dropped and that the events should be turned into something positive together. “I would agree to stick myself to the frame regularly if necessary,” promised one of the accused. “Choose other means,” advised Maaz. The museum cannot be the venue for this. “It’s just a shame that we’re sitting here now because it’s the wrong way to go towards the right goal.”
Climate activists repeatedly make headlines with sticking campaigns or attacks on works of art. The trial is scheduled to continue on May 22nd. In addition, the defendants are threatened with claims for damages.