The Spanish police arrested two activists from the Futuro Vegetal movement on Sunday (October 12) after they allegedly splashed biodegradable red paint on a historic painting at the museum.

The protesters vandalized José Garnelo’s painting “Primer homenaje a Cristóbal Colón” (First Tribute to Christopher Columbus) during a demonstration against Spain’s National Day celebrations.

The painting, which depicts the first tribute to Columbus, was restored within a few hours thanks to the prompt action of museum staff. The incident has rekindled debate about the protection of artworks that reflect Spain’s history and cultural heritage.

Police sources said the two women were arrested on charges of crimes against cultural heritage after being detained by a museum employee until authorities arrived.

Visitors were evacuated during the incident, but a few hours later the Spanish Navy announced on social media that the painting had been restored and was back on display.

According to a statement by Futuro Vegetal, the activists held a banner reading “October 12 – Nothing to Celebrate”, aiming to denounce the consequences of colonialism.

National Art Museum Also Targeted

On the same day, about twenty activists from the group Marea Palestina staged a sit-in protest in front of Picasso’s Guernica at the Museo Reina Sofía, holding signs that read “Stop the genocide.”