Police guarding the National Gallery

Policeman guarding a 'closed' National Gallery against suffragette attack. Fear of suffragette attacks on works of art prompted the closure of The National Gallery, Royal Academy and the Tate Gallery in May, 1914. The British Museum remained open to the public but women had to be accompanied by men who would accept responsibility for them. Unaccompanied women were only allowed in if they had a letter of recommendation from a gentleman who would vouch for their good conduct and take responsibility for their actions.