Swedish climate activists who targeted Monet painting acquitted
The activists had targeted Monet's "The Artist’s Garden at Giverny" in June 2023.
Law and Crime
Six climate change activists with Återställ Våtmarker who targeted a painting by Claude Monet have been acquitted by a Swedish court, the group said.
Återställ Våtmarker said in a statement that Stockholm District Court found that “there was no intent to damage the artwork,” which was enclosed with protective glass.
“They find that none of those who carried out the action were indifferent to the value of the artwork,” Återställ Våtmarker said in the statement. “No damages are awarded either.”
In June 2023, the group shared video footage of two women smearing water-soluble paint the glass protecting Monet’s The Artist’s Garden at Giverny, which was on loan from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris to the National Museum of Sweden at the time.
The painting was not damaged during the protest, but the two women and four other people suspected of having prepared and documented the operation were arrested.
Prosecutors had sought jail time for one of the activists and damages of more than $19,000, according to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. And police urged the Swedish Migration Board to deport one of the activists, German national David Alcer.
“The action was simply perfectly executed, carefully planned and rehearsed. The message was well thought out, and the action was at exactly the right level. It was peaceful, proportionate and effective,” Återställ Våtmarker said in its statement.
“Perhaps it is that the court also fundamentally realizes that disruptive actions are absolutely necessary to get the message out about climate collapse and the political breakdown where politicians do not want, cannot or intend to act on the enormous climate challenges we face.”
Alcer called the legal win an “absolute victory” in comments to Aftonbladet. “We are pleased that the district court sees this incident as part of our democratic expression and democratic conversation,” he said.
Emma Fritzdotter, one of the two women who had smeared paint on the protective glass, said she did not expect the court’s judgement.
“But it doesn't matter that much to me,” Fritzdotter said. “As a nurse, I have to act when billions of lives are threatened.
As Urgent Matter previously reported in an analysis of climate-movement tactics, the wave of museum-based climate protests that dominated public debate from 2022 to 2024 has effectively subsided in what appears to be a coordinated shift.
How climate activists are leaving museums behind
Facing tougher laws, rising costs, and waning support, climate activists are quietly ending the museum protests that once shocked the art world.
Adam Schrader
Activists themselves acknowledged that the approach had run its course. Governments tightened laws, public support evaporated and legal costs mounted.
But British police arrested four protesters Saturday after they threw apple crumble and custard at the protective case surrounding the Imperial State Crown at the Tower of London.
Take Back Power, a group that may be inspired by or adjacent to Britain’s Just Stop Oil activist network, held a banner that “democracy has crumbled” before being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
They have also released a manifesto calling for the taxation of Britain’s ultra-wealthy and have asked for donations to support their legal costs.
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