Two climate activists from the German group Letzte Generation (Last Generation) have received pardons after being convicted for gluing their hands to the frame of Raphael's *Sistine Madonna* at the Dresden Old Masters Picture Gallery in August 2022. The protest left superglue residue on the frame, causing €2,300 in property damage. The activists initially faced fines of €1,500 each, later reduced to €600 by the Dresden District Court, and ultimately halved to €300 on appeal after the court considered their ongoing restitution efforts as a mitigating factor. They have since paid over €2,000 in damages to the Dresden State Art Collections and agreed to a separate settlement of €5,500 with the Free State of Saxony.
The case highlights the ongoing tension between climate activism and cultural heritage protection. While the activists' actions were intended to draw attention to the climate crisis, they resulted in damage to a world-famous Renaissance masterpiece, sparking debate about the appropriateness of targeting irreplaceable artworks for protest. The pardons and reduced fines reflect a judicial recognition of the protesters' willingness to make amends, but the incident has also prompted museums worldwide to reassess security measures and legal responses to such demonstrations. The outcome may influence how future climate protests involving art are adjudicated, balancing free expression with the preservation of cultural treasures.