A climate activist who smeared red and black paint on Edgar Degas’ iconic ballerina sculpture has pleaded guilty to a charge of “causing injury” at the National Gallery of Art (NGA) exhibition in Washington, DC. Joanna Smith entered her plea on Dec. 15 in U.S. District Court, according to a Department of Justice press release. She faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and could be fined up to $250,000.
The incident in question took place on April 27, when Smith and a fellow climate change activist named Timothy Martin entered the NGA with water bottles filled with paint, “walked up to the exhibit, took the bottles out of the bags and started smearing the case and the base of painting.” by Degas Fourteen-year-old dancer1880), notes the press release.
“Smith made statements telling viewers why she was performing the action as the painting dripped from the display onto the surrounding floor,” the announcement continued, adding that the pair had “conducted research on the piece and directed it specifically. Before entering the National Gallery , the duo recorded video statements explaining their intent.”
The NGA removed the sculpture from its galleries for ten days to repair the damage, which cost more than $4,000. (The museum had previously reported a cost of $2,400.) In May, Smith and Martin were charged with “conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and injury to an exhibit at the National Gallery of Art.”
“The National Gallery of Art appreciates the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI in dealing with this serious act of vandalism,” an NGA spokesperson said in a statement in response to Smith’s request.
While climate activists have recently targeted many famous works of art in European and British museums (including canned soup in a Van Gogh, mashed potatoes in a Monet, cake in Mona Lisa and people sticking to frames), the April incident marked the first high-profile action of its kind at a museum in the United States. In his protest as part of the Declarar Emergencia groupSmith and Martin attempted to establish a connection between the girl portrayed in Degas’ sculpture and the children of a future of climate catastrophe.
After charges were laid against the pair, there was a demonstration at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in protest, as fellow climate activists called the charges “unreasonably harsh”. Meanwhile, in Congress, earlier this month Ohio Sen. JD Vance (d Hillbilly Elegy fame) introduced a bill called the Consequences for Climate Vandals Act; if passed, it would “double the statutory maximum prison sentence for damaging art or other property on the grounds of the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian museums, the Kennedy Center and other properties.”
Smith’s sentencing is scheduled for April 3, 2024, Martin told him Washington Post that he would reject a plea deal and plans to go to trial next year.
