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| Portrait of Queen defaced at Westminster Abbey | Portrait of Queen defaced at Westminster Abbey |
| (4 months later) | |
| A man has been arrested on suspicion of defacing a portrait of the Queen in Westminster Abbey, according to police. | A man has been arrested on suspicion of defacing a portrait of the Queen in Westminster Abbey, according to police. |
| Officers were called to the abbey around 12.30pm on Thursday after security guards detained a 41-year-old man. He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and taken to a central London police station, where he is in custody, a Metropolitan police spokesman said. | Officers were called to the abbey around 12.30pm on Thursday after security guards detained a 41-year-old man. He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and taken to a central London police station, where he is in custody, a Metropolitan police spokesman said. |
| The 11ft tall oil painting, by Australian artist Ralph Heimans, had been on display in the Chapter House since last month – it has now been removed from public view. It was commissioned last year to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee. | The 11ft tall oil painting, by Australian artist Ralph Heimans, had been on display in the Chapter House since last month – it has now been removed from public view. It was commissioned last year to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee. |
| The painting, The Coronation Theatre, which depicts the Queen in the symbolic setting of the abbey's sacrarium, was a rare acquisition by the abbey and went on display in the Chapter House on 23 May. | The painting, The Coronation Theatre, which depicts the Queen in the symbolic setting of the abbey's sacrarium, was a rare acquisition by the abbey and went on display in the Chapter House on 23 May. |
| It is an imagined scene, set at night, with the Queen in state dress including the crimson velvet robe of state that she wore at her 1953 coronation. | It is an imagined scene, set at night, with the Queen in state dress including the crimson velvet robe of state that she wore at her 1953 coronation. |
| In a statement the abbey said: "In an incident at lunchtime today, a visitor to the abbey sprayed paint on the Ralph Heimans portrait of the Queen presently on display in the Chapter House. | In a statement the abbey said: "In an incident at lunchtime today, a visitor to the abbey sprayed paint on the Ralph Heimans portrait of the Queen presently on display in the Chapter House. |
| "Until work can be done to remedy the damage it will, very regrettably, not be possible to have the painting on public view." | "Until work can be done to remedy the damage it will, very regrettably, not be possible to have the painting on public view." |
| A spokeswoman would not reveal if the incident had been witnessed, but did say the matter had been reported to police. | A spokeswoman would not reveal if the incident had been witnessed, but did say the matter had been reported to police. |
| The 3.3-metre by 2.7-metre (9ft by 11ft) work was officially unveiled in London, where Heimans is now based, and was exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, until the end of March. | The 3.3-metre by 2.7-metre (9ft by 11ft) work was officially unveiled in London, where Heimans is now based, and was exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, until the end of March. |
| Heimans said at the time of its first public unveiling: "Through the narrative of the portrait I wanted to produce a work of particular significance for the diamond jubilee. | Heimans said at the time of its first public unveiling: "Through the narrative of the portrait I wanted to produce a work of particular significance for the diamond jubilee. |
| "By representing the Queen as she reflects on this incredible milestone in her life, I wanted to explore the dynamic between her public role and the personal, emotional dimension." | "By representing the Queen as she reflects on this incredible milestone in her life, I wanted to explore the dynamic between her public role and the personal, emotional dimension." |
| Speaking at the time the abbey purchased it, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, said: "The Queen's diamond jubilee portrait by Ralph Heimans speaks powerfully of the moment of Her Majesty's anointing and coronation. | Speaking at the time the abbey purchased it, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, said: "The Queen's diamond jubilee portrait by Ralph Heimans speaks powerfully of the moment of Her Majesty's anointing and coronation. |
| "The Queen in the glorious space of the abbey standing at the very place where she committed herself to God and her people reflects powerfully on the years of service. I am delighted that this portrait will help countless numbers of future visitors to the abbey to celebrate and give thanks for this remarkable reign." | "The Queen in the glorious space of the abbey standing at the very place where she committed herself to God and her people reflects powerfully on the years of service. I am delighted that this portrait will help countless numbers of future visitors to the abbey to celebrate and give thanks for this remarkable reign." |
| Heimans said then he could not have imagined a more fitting home for the portrait than Westminster Abbey, "the beauty of which was a great source of inspiration in the conception of the work. I am deeply honoured by this acquisition and feel that the significance of the portrait's narrative will have its strongest resonance in this remarkable setting". | Heimans said then he could not have imagined a more fitting home for the portrait than Westminster Abbey, "the beauty of which was a great source of inspiration in the conception of the work. I am deeply honoured by this acquisition and feel that the significance of the portrait's narrative will have its strongest resonance in this remarkable setting". |
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