The stunning tranquility of Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts was shattered yesterday when two climate activists targeted Pablo Picasso’s “Femme assise près d’une fenêtre (Marie-Thérèse)” during its temporary exhibition. The protestors, identifying themselves as members of the environmental group “On a Hot Planet,” sprayed orange paint across the protective glass covering the masterpiece while shouting slogans about climate inaction.
As I walked through the museum’s halls this morning, the mood was somber. Security personnel stood vigilantly near the now-cleaned display, their faces betraying a mixture of alertness and disappointment. “We’ve increased our presence throughout all exhibition spaces,” explained Jean-François Dubois, head of security operations. “The artwork itself remains undamaged thanks to protective measures already in place.”
The targeted Picasso, valued at approximately $95 million, depicts Marie-Thérèse Walter, the artist’s muse and lover, seated near a window. The painting had been on loan from a private European collection as part of the museum’s special exhibition “Picasso: Transcending Boundaries.”
Museum director Nathalie Bondil appeared visibly shaken during our brief conversation. “This is not activism; this is vandalism,” she stated firmly. “There are countless constructive ways to advocate for climate action without threatening irreplaceable cultural heritage.”
The two activists, identified as Camille Tremblay, 24, and Marc Arsenault, 26, were immediately detained by security and later arrested by Montreal police. According to witnesses, they had concealed small spray canisters in their clothing before approaching the artwork shortly after 2:30 p.m.
“They just walked up normally, then suddenly pulled out these spray bottles,” recounted Sophie Lemieux, who was visiting from Québec City. “Everything happened so fast. They started spraying and shouting about how we care more about paintings than the planet burning.”
This incident joins a troubling international pattern of climate activists targeting famous artworks to draw attention to environmental concerns. Similar demonstrations have occurred at the Louvre in Paris, the National Gallery in London, and most recently at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum.
In a statement released on social media, “On a Hot Planet” defended the action: “When will we care as much about our dying ecosystems as we do about paintings behind glass? Our governments continue to subsidize fossil fuels while Montreal experiences increasingly severe flooding and heat waves.”
The Montreal Climate Coalition, however, quickly distanced itself from the tactics. “We understand the urgency and frustration,” said coalition spokesperson Isabelle Marchand. “But targeting cultural institutions alienates potential allies and shifts focus away from the actual perpetrators of climate damage.”
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante condemned the vandalism while acknowledging climate concerns. “Our city remains committed to ambitious climate action, but destroying or damaging art is never acceptable. These actions undermine legitimate environmental advocacy.”
The museum has confirmed the exhibition will continue as scheduled, though with enhanced security protocols. Visitors can expect longer entry times due to more thorough bag checks and additional screening measures.
For Montreal’s vibrant arts community, the incident has sparked intense debate. At Café Névé this morning, I overheard heated discussions among local artists and environmental activists grappling with these tactics.
“I understand their desperation,” said visual artist Michel Tremblay, stirring his espresso thoughtfully. “But as someone who creates, the idea of targeting art feels fundamentally counterproductive. Art helps us process and understand our world – including climate crisis.”
Environmental lawyer Caroline Phillips offered a different perspective: “When traditional advocacy falls on deaf ears for decades, people become desperate. The activists knew the painting was protected. They’re making a calculated point about what society values.”
According to Montreal police, the suspects face charges of mischief, public disturbance, and potentially damaging cultural property. If convicted, they could face up to two years in prison, though legal experts suggest first-time offenders would likely receive probation or community service.
Climate scientist Dr. Alain Morisset from McGill University suggests these incidents reflect growing eco-anxiety. “Young people especially feel betrayed by institutional inaction on climate. While I cannot condone these methods, I understand the psychological mechanisms driving them.”
The museum has announced it will host a public forum next week titled “Art, Activism and Climate: Finding Constructive Paths Forward,” bringing together environmental advocates, artists, and cultural preservationists to discuss these tensions.
As I left the museum, I noticed a small group of climate protesters had gathered across the street with signs reading “Protect Art AND the Planet” and “Real Climate Action Now.” Their presence – respectful yet determined – perhaps offers a more productive path forward in our collective struggle with environmental urgency.
For visitors planning to see the Picasso exhibition, the museum remains open with regular hours. The affected artwork has been professionally cleaned and returned to display, a testament to both human creativity and resilience in challenging times.
