The National Gallery has announced a ban on liquids following recent attacks by activists on its artworks, including Vincent van Gogh's iconic Sunflowers. The London museum has advised visitors to bring only essential items and avoid large bags. However, the liquid ban excludes baby formula, expressed breast milk, and prescription medicines.
"Unfortunately, we have now reached a point where we have been forced to act to protect our visitors, staff, and collection," the museum stated. The decision was prompted by several attacks on artwork since July 2022, including John Constable's The Hay Wain and Van Gogh's Sunflowers.
These incidents have caused physical damage to the artworks, distress to both visitors and staff, and disrupted the museum's mission to make great art accessible to everyone. "Two of these attacks have occurred in the last two weeks, leading to our difficult and unfortunate decision to alter our operations for the foreseeable future," the museum added.
Last month, two versions of Van Gogh's Sunflowers were targeted with soup, following the jailing of two Just Stop Oil activists for a similar act in 2022. Although the paintings were not damaged, the frames were estimated to be worth up to £20,000 (€24,000).
Last week, two individuals were arrested for pasting a photo of a bloodied mother and child from Gaza over a Picasso painting, calling for an arms embargo on Israel. Just Stop Oil and Youth Demand have written an open letter to the National Museum Directors' Council, proposing a meeting at the Gallery for discussions.
The groups argue that their protests are part of a tradition dating back to the Suffragette movement and cause minimal damage and disruption to highlight global warming and the risks of fossil fuels. "The arts have failed to counter climate denial. Politics has let us down. Resistance is our only remaining option," they stated.
