Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch’ Goes Waist-Deep In Water In Climate Activism Stunt
Photo 199355027 © Bert De Boer | Dreamstime.com
On Sunday, Rembrandt van Rijn’s The Night Watch was given new, unprecedented depth—the kind you measure in gallons.
As the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam oversaw one of its busiest retrospectives, comprising the largest Vermeer exhibition in history, two protesters from the Netherlands wing of environmental activism group Extinction Rebellion took to its display of the Rembrandt and held up a banner picturing the painting in dire climate conditions.
Ten young people aged 15 to 22 from #XRYoung, supported by parents and grandparents, took action at the #Nightwatch in the @rijksmuseum. Their message is clear: No art on a flooded planet; sever ties with fossil companies like @KLM and @ING_news ! #NoArtOnADeadPlanet @ExtinctionR pic.twitter.com/mzI6ledncv
— Extinction Rebellion Nederland (@NLRebellion) March 5, 2023
The youths superimposed the original with reimagined artwork of the night watchmen submerged in water, alluding to the group’s tagline, “There is no art on a flooded planet.”
Joined by eight others, the protesters stepped into the gallery and removed their coats to reveal the ‘Stop Fossil Subsidies’ slogan on their T-shirts.
With the sign held in front of the masterpiece from 1642, the stunt was far less damaging than several feats that pulled by other art activists, who have previously been charged in court or arrested for vandalizing prized pieces in the name of stopping fossil-fuel production and use.
However, that’s not to say this scene was tamer, as the group had likely anticipated more eyeballs in the room while the museum was hosting its long-anticipated Vermeer showcase.
Image via Extinction Rebellion Netherlands
One 19-year-old demonstrator was heard proclaiming that humanity can no longer escape what science has been pointing to: that the planet is fast heating up and sea levels are on the rise, as reported by Reuters. The group called out the Rijksmuseum for supposedly being an enabler of the fossil industry, referencing its partnerships with airline KLM and investment bank ING.
The museum’s employees rushed in with white and blue vinyl screens to prevent the stunt from escalating, as well as guided visitors to view its other collections. The group said they were chased out after just 15 minutes.
Since no physical damage was incurred, the institution is not pressing charges.
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