Two climate activists vandalized a historic painting of Christopher Columbus at Madrid's Naval Museum on Tuesday, deliberately choosing the date to coincide with the anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the Americas. The protesters splashed red paint across the artwork as part of what they described as a demonstration against historical colonialism and its connection to current environmental issues.
The incident was captured on video and shows the two female activists approaching the painting before throwing red paint across its surface. Museum security quickly intervened and detained the protesters before turning them over to local authorities. The activists appeared to coordinate their actions, with one serving as a lookout while the other carried out the vandalism.
The timing of the protest was significant, as October 15th falls close to Columbus Day, which is observed on October 12th in Spain as the National Day. The activists specifically chose this period to draw attention to what they view as the destructive legacy of European colonization and its parallels to contemporary environmental destruction. Their action was part of a broader pattern of museum protests that have been occurring across Europe in recent months.
The Naval Museum houses an extensive collection of maritime artifacts and artwork related to Spain's naval history, including pieces documenting the Age of Exploration. The damaged Columbus painting is considered a historically significant work that depicts the explorer's voyages to the New World. Museum officials have not yet released details about the extent of the damage or the estimated cost of restoration.
This incident joins a growing list of similar protests targeting famous artworks in museums across Europe. Climate activist groups have increasingly turned to high-profile acts of civil disobedience in art institutions to draw attention to environmental issues. Previous incidents have included activists throwing soup at Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" in London and gluing themselves to various masterpieces in German museums.
Spanish authorities are investigating the incident and considering charges against the two activists. The museum has temporarily closed the affected gallery while conservation experts assess the damage to the painting. Officials emphasized that such acts of vandalism not only damage irreplaceable cultural artifacts but also disrupt the public's access to historical art and educational resources.
