Climate activists in Italy cover Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ with pictures of flood damage

Two climate change activists have been arrested in Italy after covering Botticelli’s masterpiece “The Birth of Venus” along with footage of recent flood damage in Tuscany.

Activists stood in front of the painting hanging in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, unfurled banners and pasted images onto the masterpiece’s protective glass.

Activists from the Last Generation Climate Change movement say they are protesting the Italian government’s failure to address climate problems that cause frequent flooding and landslides. The images they showed included the devastating floods in Tuscany last year that killed at least six people.

Authorities immediately evacuated the room and the two demonstrators were taken to Italy’s military police, the Carabinieri, for questioning.

Activists throw soup at Mona Lisa during Louvre climate change protest

The paper was easily removed from the glass and there was no damage. Users were able to return to their rooms and view the paintings within 15 minutes.

Activists accused the Italian government of failing to act on climate issues. (Emiliano Benedetti, Florence Today, via AP)

Activists risk up to six months in prison under Italy’s new law.

Authorities cleared the room and removed protest materials from the protective glass. No damage was reported. (Emiliano Benedetti, Florence Today, via AP)

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Botticelli’s painting is the latest in a series of masterpieces targeted by climate change activists.

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Last month, at the Louvre Museum in Paris, two climate activists shouted slogans for a sustainable food system while throwing soup at the glass protecting the famous Mona Lisa painting. Both men were arrested.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.