A painting by Pablo Picasso on display at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts was the latest artwork targeted by climate activists, as environmental group Last Generation Canada attempted to highlight the urgency of the climate crisis.
The painting, L’hetaire (1901), was splashed with bright pink paint by a protester identified only as Marcel, a 21-year-old member of the activist group.
The act was captured on video and posted to Last Generation Canada’s social media platforms, showing the moment of the vandalism and the subsequent removal of the protester by museum security.
In a statement released alongside the video, Marcel defended the act as a symbolic gesture to “protect art” in the face of planetary collapse.
“Today, I am not attacking art, nor am I destroying it. I am protecting it. Art, at its core, is depictions of life… There is no art on a dead planet,” the statement reads.
Marcel also referenced the record-breaking heatwave in Winnipeg, Manitoba – part of an increasingly severe climate pattern affecting much of Canada this year – warning that art and culture will not survive if basic human survival is at stake.
Arrests and public reaction
Montreal police confirmed the activist was arrested and later released on condition to appear in court.
Two others who filmed the action were detained and released without charges.
Museum officials have not yet confirmed the extent of the damage to the Pablo Picasso piece, which was reportedly protected by glass.
The museum issued a brief statement condemning the act, saying it was cooperating with authorities and reviewing security protocols.
Growing global trend
This incident follows a wave of similar protests across Europe and North America over the past five years.
Climate activists have targeted works by Van Gogh, Monet, Klimt, and others – sometimes gluing themselves to frames or splashing food, paint, or liquids onto protective glass.
Groups like Last Generation and Just Stop Oil argue these dramatic acts are necessary to break public and media indifference.
However, their tactics have proven controversial.
Critics argue they alienate potential allies and damage public institutions.
Last year, Last Generation Austria disbanded after repeated legal setbacks, citing death threats, hefty fines, and public fatigue.
Despite the backlash, Last Generation Canada appears committed to continuing these attention-grabbing tactics.
“Would I still be able to make art in a burning Winnipeg?” Marcel asked rhetorically.
“Or would I be too caught up in the fight for my survival?”
Context: A nation under heat
Canada is once again bracing for a devastating wildfire season, with several provinces including Manitoba and Saskatchewan experiencing record-breaking heat and drought.
Thousands have already been displaced by early-season wildfires, fueling frustration with government inaction on climate resilience and emissions policy.
The activist’s provocative question – “Would there still be art on a dead planet?” – now hangs over both the gallery and the broader national debate about climate change.
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