Just after 11 a.m., two activists from the “Last Generation” movement attacked the painting at the Leopold Museum in Vienna. Tuesday at local time (5 a.m. ET), the museum said in a statement.
One protester covered the artwork with the material and then taped himself to the glass covering it.
The demonstration was documented in a video and images by Last Generation.
The organisation stated, “New oil and gas drilling is a death sentence to humanity,” blaming people who seek out these resources of having blood on their hands.
It then urged for fast action to prevent climate breakdown in another tweet.
“Implementing a speed limit reduction on highways to 100 km/h costs nothing, saves 460 million tonnes of CO2 annually in #Austria alone, and improves air quality, reduces noise, and makes roadways safer. Why are we still waiting?”
The painting and original frame were not harmed, according to the museum’s initial evaluation, but “the damage to the glass and the safety frame as well as to the wall and floor is clear and severe.”
Shortly after the attack, the police, a medical crew, and the activists’ personal information were taken, according to the museum.
“Death and Life,” painted by Klimt in 1910, was revised in 1912–1913 and 1915–1916. On the left is Death, while on the right is Life, represented by men, women, and children.
