The adhesive attack by the radical climate group “Last Generation” on the “Sistine Madonna” on August 23 in Dresden’s Old Masters Picture Gallery caused damage in the five-figure range. The cost of restoring the affected frame amounted to 3,000 to 5,000 euros, as the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD) announced on Wednesday. In addition, there is a loss of income of 7,000 euros due to the necessary closure of the museum.
A young woman and a young man each had one hand glued to the frame of the most famous work of art in the collection. The picture from the 16th century with a pane of glass itself was not damaged in the action. Restorers have now removed the traces of glue, said SKD spokesman Holger Liebs. Where the hands were, the patination of the frame was damaged, the flaws would be repaired. The SKD imposed house bans on the two climate protectors in their 15 museums.
A spokesman for the Dresden public prosecutor’s office said the SKD had filed a criminal complaint that the preliminary investigation into “damage to property that is harmful to the community” would take some time. According to the museum association, it has also initiated civil proceedings for damages.
