On Friday 14 October, environmental activists poured tomato soup over Vincent van Gogh’s famous painting “Sunflowers” (1888) at the National Gallery in London.
The content will continue after the announcement
Advertising
The protesters represent the “Just Stop Oil” organization. According to the BBC, they were two people wearing “Just Stop Oil” T-shirts. First, the two opened cans of canned tomato soup, poured over the painting, and then stuck their palms to the wall. The video of the incident will already be posted on the “Just Stop Oil” social media accounts.
The incident occurred at 11:00 local time.
As London police told the media, law enforcement was immediately called after the incident and arrested two people.
On the other hand, representatives of the National Gallery claimed that the painting has a protective glass in front, so it has not suffered any damage, but there is only some minor damage to the frame.
Just Stop Oil activists have already protested by sticking their hands to a wall next to famous works of art. So, for example, on July 6 this year, environmentalists stuck to the frame of the painting “The Last Supper” in the Royal Gallery of the Royal Academy in London. Also, this isn’t their first time visiting the National Gallery.
“Just Stop Oil” calls on the British government to stop the extraction and production of fossil fuels. Protesters have previously expanded their businesses to both the Scottish Art Gallery in Edinburgh and the British F1 Grand Prix.
Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” on display at the National Gallery in London are one of the painter’s seven works featuring these flowers. Five are available for public viewing in various galleries and museums around the world. “Sunflowers” is one of Van Gogh’s most recognizable and beloved works, the gallery representatives point out.
