last generation
Trial: Was the adhesive action on a Rubens painting property damage?
The accused climate activists Lukas Popp (l) and Simon Lachner talk before the start of the trial. photo
© Lennart Preiss/dpa
Activists keep using art to draw attention to the climate crisis. In the case of the Rubens painting, this greatly minimized the value. Two men now have to answer for that.
Climate activists deliberately chose the painting “The Bethlehemitische Kindermord” by Peter Paul Rubens for a pasting campaign in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
The depiction of babies being stolen from their mothers’ arms and murdered stands for the future robbery of young people, and politics is driving everything against the wall, said a 59-year-old, who has been in conflict with two other men since August because of the action must answer before the district court of Munich. It is about the allegation of public damage to property.
According to the indictment, the 59-year-old and a 25-year-old co-defendant stuck their hands or fingertips to the frame of the painting. The approximately two by three meter work was created around 1638 and is considered a late masterpiece by the Flemish painter (1577-1640). A 24-year-old filmed the action of his comrades-in-arms of the Last Generation movement, which is why he is accused of aiding and abetting.
Art experts estimate the value of the gilded frame from the 18th century at around 50,000 euros. Conservators would have minimized visible traces of glue. However, the adhesive has eaten into the frame and can no longer be completely removed. This reduces the value permanently by around 5000 euros, the public prosecutor said. In addition, the red covering of the wall got splashes of glue that could no longer be detached from the fabric.
Climate activists repeatedly make headlines with sticking campaigns or attacks on works of art.