Climate Activists Deface Picasso Painting with Paint in Montreal Protest

**Climate Activism Takes a Bold Turn at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts**

In a startling moment of environmental activism, a 21-year-old protester targeted Pablo Picasso’s “L’Hétaire” (1901) at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) on June 19. The protester splashed pink paint on the artwork, which was fortunately safeguarded by a protective glass barrier.

The incident, which took place around 10am, led to the arrest of the protester for mischief. Security personnel quickly contacted the police, and although two other individuals were filming, they were not charged. The use of water-based paint resulted in no immediate harm to the painting, according to a statement from the museum, which has commenced a detailed review.

The museum briefly shut down the exhibition, reopening it at 11:30am, while the Picasso piece was temporarily taken down. The act was carried out by a member of Last Generation Canada, a climate-focused group whose representative, Marcel, highlighted the ongoing wildfires raging across Canada in a video released on X.

The protest draws attention to over 200 active wildfires in Canada, with 83 still uncontained. During this year, the fires have devastated at least eight million acres, causing mass evacuations and recalling past crises, like the 2023 fires that prompted cultural institutions in New York City to close amid severe air quality concerns.

In their call to action, the activists have urged the creation of a Climate Disaster Protection Agency funded by taxes on billionaires, reflecting on the broader impacts of financial and corporate accountability in climate crises.

MMFA Director Stéphane Aquin expressed the institution’s dismay, emphasizing the collaborative potential between museums and artists in advocating for environmental and cultural preservation.

The targeted painting is part of an MMFA exhibit spotlighting French Modern dealer Berthe Weill and is on loan from Italy’s Pinacoteca Agnelli. In light of the protest, Last Generation Canada reiterated its demand for systemic change, urging Canadians to challenge the current model of economic and environmental management.

This incident underscores the urgency expressed by activists worldwide and highlights the intersection of cultural preservation and climate advocacy.