Recently, a series of sensational actions have been carried out. In Madrid, activists have glued themselves to paintings of Goya’s women, in London and Rome tomato soup has been thrown on van Gogh’s sunflowers and farmers, and in Germany mashed potatoes have been smeared on Monet’s haystacks.
“The activists behind the attacks underestimate the fragility of these works, which must be preserved as part of our common cultural heritage,” write the museum directors.
The statement is signed by the heads of the Louvre in Paris, the Uffizi in Florence and the Guggenheim in New York – among many others.
The museum managers describe the actions as “deeply shocking” and write that they will continue to defend the museums’ openness.