Thomas Gainsborough painting 'The Morning Walk' slashed twice at National Gallery
Staff and visitors detained the suspect before he was arrested
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man has been charged on suspicion of slashing a painting at the National Gallery with a screwdriver.
Witnesses said the man lashed out at Thomas Gainsborough’s 18th century portrait of a wealthy young couple, Mr and Mrs William Hallett, better known as The Morning Walk.
The gallery said staff and visitors detained the suspect who was later arrested.
The painting suffered “two long scratches, which have penetrated the paint layers, but not the supporting canvas.”
The east wing of the gallery, in which the British Paintings are housed, was evacuated shortly after the alarm was raised at 2.15pm. It was reopened two hours later.
The Metropolitan Police said 54-year-old Keith Gregory, of no fixed address, was charged with criminal damage.
The couple in the painting are thought to be William Hallett and Elizabeth Stephen, both aged 21 and “due to be married in the summer of 1785, shortly after the painting was completed,” according to a National Gallery web page devoted to the work.
The painting has been removed from display by gallery conservators, who are assessing the next steps of a conservation effort to restore the work.
Gregory is due to appear in court next week.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments