The National Gallery has announced increased security measures following a string of attacks on ‘irreplaceable’ artworks
In recent weeks, Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers was targetted by Just Stop Oil protesters who threw soup at the beloved artwork in September, and just 12 days later, members of campaign group Youth Demand covered Pablo Picasso’s Motherhood (La Maternité) with an image of a Gazan mother and children. Today, The National Gallery released the following statement:
“Following recent incidents within the Gallery it is now necessary to introduce increased security measures to ensure the safety
of all those who visit, National Gallery staff and the nation’s collection of paintings.
Free access to the National Gallery allows everyone to be inspired by humanity’s greatest achievements. The collection we hold
is irreplaceable and with each attack we have been forced to consider putting more barriers between the people and their
artworks to preserve these fragile objects for future generations.
Unfortunately, we have now reached a point where we have been forced to act to protect our visitors, staff and collection.
From 10am on Friday 18 October 2024, no liquids can be brought into the National Gallery, except for baby formula,
expressed milk and prescription medicines.
Since July 2022, the National Gallery alone has been the victim of five separate attacks on iconic paintings such as
Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, John Constable’s The Hay Wain and Velázquez’s Rokeby Venus. Such attacks have caused
physical damage to the artworks, distress to visitors and staff alike, and disruption to our mission to ensure great art is available
for everyone, everywhere to enjoy.
Two of these attacks have happened in the last two weeks, and that is why we have taken the difficult
and unfortunate decision to change the way we operate for the foreseeable future.
We urge all visitors to bring minimal items with them including no large bags. All doors into the Gallery have
walk-through metal detectors where we will inspect bags and rucksacks. We anticipate it will take longer than
usual to access the Gallery and we apologise for this inconvenience.
We are sorry that visitors are, for the time being, not going to receive the welcome we would very much like to extend to them, but we hope that they understand why it is necessary for us to do this.”
Full details of the gallery’s Visitor Admissions policy can be found here.
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