On Friday, anti-fossil fuel activists spilled soup over a glass-covered painting of Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” in London’s National Gallery, but the artwork was unharmed.
Activists allegedly put two cans of tomato soup over the oil painting, one of the Dutch artist’s most recognizable pieces, according to the group Just Stop Oil, which wants the British government to block new oil and gas projects. Additionally, the two protesters used glue to adhere to the gallery wall.
The glass that was above the painting and its gilded frame was covered in soup splatters. The picture is undamaged, but there is some slight frame damage, according to the gallery.
Van Gogh painted multiple renditions of “Sunflowers” in the late 1880s, and this piece is one of them.
According to the Metropolitan Police in London, two people were detained on suspicion of aggravated trespass and criminal damage.
Just Stop Oil has come under fire and notice for its attacks on museum-quality artwork. Just Stop Oil campaigners attached themselves to the frames of John Constable’s “The Hay Wain” in the National Gallery and Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in July.
During the two weeks of protests, activists have also blocked bridges and intersections all around London.
In spite of protests from environmentalists and scientists who claim the action undermines the nation’s commitment to combating climate change, the British government has opened a fresh licensing round for North Sea oil and gas exploration.
