The Dresden prosecutor's office announced today that the two activists, aged 22 and 29, will have to pay compensation for "damage to community property". According to the dpa news agency, the prosecutor demanded a sum of 1,500 euros from each activist.
These members of the German environmental group "Letzte Generation" (Last Generation) had entered the gallery on August 23, 2022 and fixed one of their hands to the frame of the famous altar painting dating from the 16th century. Although the work itself was not damaged, their action left traces of superglue on the frame and deteriorated the protective finish, thus causing material damage estimated at approximately 2,300 euros.
In response, the Dresden State Art Collections (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, more commonly known as SKD) filed a complaint with the city prosecutor's office, alleging "property damage harmful to the community", and initiated civil proceedings seeking redress. In addition, the two activists were banned from entering the 15 SKD establishments.
Charges against another 23-year-old activist, who filmed the action and posted it on social media, were dropped.
Despite these lawsuits, the group "Last Generation" does not seem to be deterred. In 2022, other members of this collective stuck to the frame of a painting by Peter Paul Rubens at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, causing damage estimated at 11,000 euros. Their goal, as the band's website states, is "to end the fossil fuel craze."
Jean Dubreil
