Just Stop Oil throw tomato soup on £75m Van Gogh painting
Environmental protesters from the group Just Stop Oil threw tomato soup at one of Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous paintings at the National Gallery earlier today.
At around 11am, two protesters walked into the gallery in Trafalgar Square and threw tins of Heinz tomato soup at one of the most famous paintings in the world, Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, estimated to be valued at £74.8m.
The National Gallery confirmed the painting was unharmed as it has a glazing in front of it, though there was “minor damage” to the frame.
The protesters are demanding that the UK Government halts all new oil and gas projects. Today’s incident comes after two weeks of protesting across the capital by supporters of Just Stop Oil.
One of the protesters, Phoebe Plummer, 21, said: “Is art worth more than life? More than food? More than justice?
“The cost of living crisis is driven by fossil fuels—everyday life has become unaffordable for millions of cold, hungry families—they can’t even afford to heat a tin of soup.
“Meanwhile, crops are failing and people are dying in supercharged monsoons, massive wildfires and endless droughts caused by climate breakdown.
“We can’t afford new oil and gas, it’s going to take everything. We will look back and mourn all we have lost unless we act immediately.”
The other protester, Anna Holland, 20, from Newcastle, said: “UK families will be forced to choose between heating or eating this winter, as fossil fuel companies reap record profits.
“But the cost of oil and gas isn’t limited to our bills. Somalia is now facing an apocalyptic famine, caused by drought and fuelled by the climate crisis.
“Millions are being forced to move and tens of thousands face starvation. This is the future we choose for ourselves if we push for new oil and gas.”
A spokeswoman for the National Gallery said: “At just after 11am this morning two people entered Room 43 of the National Gallery. The pair appeared to glue themselves to the wall adjacent to Van Gogh’s Sunflowers (1888). They also threw a red substance – what appears to be tomato soup – over the painting.
“The room was cleared of visitors and police were called. Officers are now on the scene.
“There is some minor damage to the frame, but the painting is unharmed. Two people have been arrested.”
The Metropolitan Police said the two protesters had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.
A statement from the Met said: “The ‘Just Stop Oil’ protesters entered the National Gallery just after 11am on Friday, October 14, and threw a substance over Van Gogh’s Sunflowers painting before gluing themselves to a wall opposite it. They have been arrested by Met Police officers for criminal damage and aggravated trespass.
“Specialist officers have now un-glued them and they have been taken into custody to a central London police station.”
Pictured top: Protesters Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland (Picture: Just Stop Oil)
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