Just Stop Oil damage Velázquez’s ‘Rokeby Venus’ in National Gallery in protest. What is it achieving?
By Esme Franks
Just Stop Oil protestors attach Rokeby Venus with emergency hammer.
“Women did not get the vote by voting. It is time for deeds, not words.”
This is the statement that was shouted at 11 a.m. on the 6th of November, by two Just Stop Oil protestors as they attacked the ‘Rokeby Venus’ with emergency hammers. Housed in the National Gallery, the work is one of Velázquez’s most notable nudes, embodying the classicality and realism of the Baroque period, prevalent in the art of the Spanish Golden Age. Venus, the Roman goddess of love reclines while looking into a mirror held by Cupid. Her nudity and direct gaze making the work a striking and controversial piece to its contemporary audience.
The mediagenic use of orange paint, superglue and even food is no longer a rarity when it comes to Just Stop Oil. Had the ‘Rokeby Venus’ not been shielded with a thick layer of protective glass the outcome of this attack would have significantly diverged. The assault emulates the paintings prior violation where Mary Richardson, in the name of suffragette activism, damaged the nude by slashing it repeatedly over a century ago, indirectly attacking the male gaze. It is this previous assault that convinced Just Stop Oil spokesman James Skeet that the attack on this particular painting was “not without precedent.” It serves as an inspiration for the group seeking attention for their cause through a similar act while urging the gallery to act on climate change. It is my opinion that the attack could also be attributed to Velázquez's depiction of vanity, reflecting our society's self-indulgence and disregard for consequence.
Over the past year and a half, protestors have glued themselves to John Constable’s “The Hay Wain” and thrown Heinz tomato soup over Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers”; two other iconic artworks in the National Gallery collection, among other works across the globe. However, this attack is the first which appears to have damaged an artwork itself. The painting has been taken into restoration so the damage can be evaluated by the conservation team. There has been no word on when the work will return to the wall.
It is a question of intrigue as to why art is such a targeted sphere when it comes to protest. Lucy Whelan, an art historian and climate activist offers a unique perspective on this. She states how in our modern world the mixture of fear and complacency is becoming habitual. We are scared of storms, floods, and unliveable temperatures, however, we decide we “need to buy a bigger car anyway.” While I do not morally support the attacks, it is hard to deny that protestors bring validity to their cause: they are revealing the fragility of what we truly cherish as a society, making us question what we are so intent on saving for the next generation. However, it must be asked if these attacks are causing purely anger, not response. The continuation of these spectacles suggests that the current system of protective measures will continue to save us. Yet over time, as with this attack, these measures will fail and consequently, the protest will lose all support. They will be seen as creating damage where damage is simply not due.
Whelan, Lucy. “I’m and art historian and climate activist: Just Stop Oil’s art attacks are becoming part of the problem.” The Guardian: 17 Nov 2022
Lloyd, Chris. “Rokeby Venus painting attacked by protestors for second time.” The Darlington and Stock Times: 12 Nov 2023 https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/23914959.rokeby-venus-painting-attacked-protestors-second-time/
Marshall, Alex. “Climate Protesters Damage a Celebrated Velázquez Painting in London.” The New York Times: 7 Nov 2023
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/07/arts/design/rokeby-venus-just-stop-oil.html
Nicholls, Catherine, and Ronald, Issy. “Just Stop Oil protesters smash frame of Velázquez’s ‘Rokeby Venus’ in London Gallery.” CNN: 6 Nov 2023
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/06/style/just-stop-oil-rokeby-venus-intl-scli-gbr/index.html