The painting was not damaged on Thursday, according to the Mauritshuis, the museum in The Hague which houses the work, completed by the Dutch master between 1665 and 1667. Some halls of the museum were closed.

Police detained three climate activists allegedly involved in the demonstration.

In a video posted to Twitter, two men can be seen near the painting. One of them glued his head to the glass in front of the painting and a red liquid was poured over him. The other man had taped his hand to the wall next to the picture.

The incident is the latest in a series of demonstrations by climate activists targeting works of art in museums in several European countries. Those involved say they want to use their actions to draw attention to climate change issues and push for more decisive action.

In two other incidents earlier this month, one group of climate activists splattered mashed potatoes across a Claude Monet painting at a museum in Potsdam, Germany, while another group splashed tomato soup over a piece by Vincent Van Gogh at a museum in London.

Australian Associated Press