Three Italian Protesters Glue Hands on Botticelli Work at Uffizi Gallery

A peaceful protest by three Italian environmental activists took place on the third floor of the Uffizi Gallery during the morning of July 22.

Around 10:30 am, the visitors to the Uffizi involuntarily witnessed three young Italian environmental activists rolling out a banner “Last Generation No Gas No Coal.” Seated on the ground in Sala Botticelli of the Uffizi Gallery, the activists subsequently glued their hands on the non-reflective glass that protects the iconic painting of Primavera (Spring) by Botticelli. No damage, however, was done to the artwork because of the glass.

The group was drawing attention to the disastrous consequences of climate change in order “to save the planet and humanity.”

The three demonstrators were arrested by the police and taken to the Uffizi carabinieri station, and will face charges of resistance to public official, unauthorized demonstration, and defacing objects.

The young people belong to a group called the “Last Generation” that challenges the exploitation of fossil fuels around the world and invites people to use renewable energies instead. The group previously stopped traffic in Rome on the same theme. This latest episode seems to be part of a wider international protest set up by climate activists. A similar banner had, in fact, appeared on Sunday, July 17 during the Puccini Festival in a protest against the Piombino regasification plant.