Status: 10/14/2022 3:22 p.m
Anti-oil activists have poured tomato soup over artist van Gogh’s famous painting “Sunflowers” in London. “Is art worth more than life?” they asked. The image has not been corrupted.
Two environmental activists poured tomato soup on painter Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpiece “Sunflowers” in London. The two young women poured two cans of Heinz tomato soup over the world-famous painting, which is estimated to be worth more than $84 million, at the National Gallery in London, according to environmental group Just Stop Oil.
Painting undamaged
According to the information, the action was linked to a demand for the British government to immediately stop all new oil and gas projects. Videos in online networks also showed the action.
It was initially unclear whether the painting in the museum on Trafalgar Square is protected by a pane of glass. The National Gallery Museum has now informed the dpa news agency that the action caused minor damage to the frame. The picture itself was not damaged.
Arrested for trespassing
The two activists who poured the soup on the painting wore T-shirts with the words “Just Stop Oil” on them. They then glued themselves to the wall with superglue. “What is worth more, art or life?” asked one of the activists. “Are you more concerned about protecting a painting or protecting our planet and people?”
After the action, the London police arrested the two activists for property damage and serious trespassing, the Metropolitan Police said.
In the past few weeks, climate activists around the world have repeatedly stuck themselves to the frames or acrylic glass protection of famous paintings. In August, two activists glued themselves to a work by Lucas Cranach the Elder in the Berlin Picture Gallery and to the world-famous “Sistine Madonna” by Raphael in Dresden. There were similar actions in Florence and London, among others.
Climate protests – Tomato soup thrown at Van Gogh’s sunflowers in London
Gabi Biesinger, ARD London, 10/14/2022 2:40 p.m