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Damage done to the Rokeby Venus by suffragette
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Damage done to the Rokeby Venus by suffragette
The actual damage done to the Rokeby Venus by the suffragette with a chopper. Cuts made by militant suffragette Mary Richardson to the canvas of Velazquezs painting in the National Gallery on 10th March 1914 with a meat cleaver. Date: 1914
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Media ID 14243681
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Action Cuts Damage Damaged Gallery Harm Masterpiece Militant Militants Richardson Rokeby Suffragette Suffragettes Vandalised Vandalism Velazquez Venus Rights
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This striking image captures the aftermath of a bold and destructive act of protest that took place at the National Gallery in London on 10th March 1914. The Rokeby Venus, a masterpiece painted by Velázquez in 1654, is seen here with significant damage inflicted upon it. The canvas was viciously attacked by the suffragette militant Mary Richardson, who wielded a meat cleaver in her quest for women's rights. Richardson, a member of the Women's Social and Political Union, had grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress towards women's suffrage. In a bold and dramatic act of defiance, she entered the National Gallery and approached Velázquez's iconic painting of Venus rising from a bath. With a meat cleaver hidden beneath her cloak, she struck the painting several times, causing extensive damage to the canvas. The Rokeby Venus, which depicts the goddess Venus emerging from a bath, had long been a source of fascination and admiration for many. Its beauty and sensuality made it a popular attraction for visitors to the National Gallery. But on this fateful day, it became a symbol of the suffragettes' determination to fight for their rights. The damage caused by Mary Richardson was a shock to the art world and the public. The painting was immediately removed from public view and underwent extensive restoration. The incident generated widespread publicity and brought further attention to the suffragette cause. This photograph serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and acts of defiance that marked the suffragette movement. It also highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the role of art in shaping history.
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