Key points

• Targeted work : The Hetaira / Courtesan with a Necklace (1901) by Pablo Picasso

• Location : Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

• Perpetrator : Marcel, 21-year-old environmental activist

• Motivation : To denounce inaction in the face of fires in Canada and the climate crisis

• 🛡 Consequences : the work was not damaged thanks to glass protection

Shock action to denounce the climate crisis and fires in Canada

On Thursday, June 19, 2025 , a 21-year-old environmental activist named Marcel threw pink paint at a Pablo Picasso work exhibited at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) . The gesture, claimed as an act of civil disobedience , was intended to raise awareness of the climate emergency , particularly the devastating fires currently underway in Canada .

The work in question, entitled L'Hétaïre / Courtesan au collier (1901), is part of the museum's permanent collection. Protected by a window, the canvas was not damaged. The activist was quickly arrested by security agents and then arrested by the Montreal police .

Before throwing the paint, Marcel is said to have shouted:

“The planet is burning, and you are looking at masterpieces as if nothing is happening!”

On social media, a radical environmental collective called "Last Generation Canada" claimed responsibility for the action, denouncing the contrast between the climate emergency and institutional inertia . Their message specifically cites the uncontrolled fires currently affecting Quebec , Ontario , and British Columbia , leading to mass evacuations, biodiversity loss, and air pollution.

According to the group, "it is time for cultural venues to take a clear stand and stop turning a blind eye to the ongoing collapse."

Museum's reaction: support for climate, but not for vandalism

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts condemned the act while reaffirming its commitment to social and environmental causes.
Stéphane Aquin , Director General of the MBAM, said:

"We share climate concerns, but we reject any form of aggression against cultural heritage."

The work L'Hétaïre suffered no damage, but the room was temporarily closed for inspection and cleaning.

When environmental activism targets works of art

Since 2022, several museums around the world have been targeted by similar activist actions . Works by Van Gogh , Monet , Vermeer , and Botticelli have been pelted with soup, glue, and paint. These actions are intended to create a media shockwave and force a debate on political priorities in the face of the climate crisis.

These actions, while attracting attention, are deeply divisive : between those who welcome their symbolic significance , and those who consider them counterproductive and harmful to the cause.

FAQ

Who is Marcel, the activist behind this action?

Marcel is a 21-year-old environmental activist. He does not appear to be officially affiliated with any organization, but his actions have been claimed by an environmental activist collective : Last Generation Canada .

Why did you choose a work by Picasso?

The choice of Picasso , a major figure in the history of art, aims to maximize media impact . The goal is to raise public awareness of the environmental emergency by symbolically attacking a pillar of culture.

Has the work been damaged?

No. The Hetaira / Courtesan with a Necklace was protected by a safety glass . The pink paint touched the glass but not the canvas.

What are the links with the fires in Canada?

The action was justified by the critical situation of the forest fires currently raging in Canada (particularly in Quebec and British Columbia). The collective denounces government inaction and cultural indifference in the face of this disaster.

Is the museum planning additional security measures?

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has announced an audit of its security protocols . Other cultural institutions have also increased their vigilance in the face of rising activism in museums.

Is this type of action common?

Yes, since 2022, we have observed an increase in acts of civil disobedience in museums around the world, often led by environmental activists seeking to raise awareness of the climate crisis.