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Just Stop Oil’s eco-warriors stuck to the frame of a painting by Constable The Hay Wain at the National Gallery.
The protesters, who said they were a couple, called for their demands for the government to end the new oil and gas extractions while their hands were glued to the masterpiece described as one of the “largest English paintings and popular “mai.
Activist student Hannah Hunt, 23, shouted at viewers, “Yes, I have my hand glued to this painting, but there is blood in the hands of the government.”
A National Gallery spokesman said police have been called to the exhibition which has been closed to the public.
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Widely regarded as John Constable’s most famous landscape, the 6-foot Hay Wain (1821) shows an idyllic rural scene with a cart on the River Stour in Suffolk.
Activists also put a reimagined version on top of the masterpiece that “represents a nightmare scene that shows how oil will destroy our field.”
The group said in a statement: “The river has been replaced by a road, planes fill the sky, belching pollution of cities on the horizon, trees are burned by forest fires, an old car is thrown in front of the Mill and Hay Wain’s famous cart carries an old washing machine. “
Mrs Hunt, a Brighton psychology student, said: “I am here because our government plans to license 40 new oil and gas projects in the UK in the coming years.
“This makes them complicit in pushing the world into an unlivable climate and the death of billions of people in the coming decades.”
Other activist Eben Lazarus described himself as an art lover.
He said, “Art is important. It should be done for future generations to see, but when there is no food what art is for.
“When there is no water, what is the use of art. When billions of people suffer pain and suffering, what serves then is art. “
He added: “We have covered the Hay Wain with a reimagined version that illustrates the impact of our fossil fuel addiction on our field.
“Painting is an important part of our heritage, but it is no more important than the 3.5 billion men, women and children who are already in danger due to the climate crisis.”
A National Gallery spokesman said the room was closed to the public and police were called.
They later said, “The paint was removed from the wall to be examined by our conservation team. The Hay Wain suffered minor damage to its frame and there were also some interruptions on the surface of the paint varnish, both of which have now been successfully treated.
“The painting will be re-hung in room 34 ready for when the National Gallery opens Tuesday at 10 p.m.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “At approximately 2.25pm on Monday, officers were summoned for a protest which was taking place at the National Gallery where two people.”
In 2013, a protester, who was reportedly linked to Fathers 4 Justice, pasted a photograph of a child into the painting while on display at the National Gallery.
The work was not permanently damaged.