Climate protesters throw soup on Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’
Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers,’ an August 1888 oil on canvas displayed in room 43 of the National Gallery, London. On October 14, climate change activists who have been targeting iconic works of art to draw attention to their cause dumped two cans of tomato soup onto the painting. Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons, photo credit the National Gallery, London. According to Wikimedia Commons, the work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office before January 1, 1927.
LONDON (AP) – Climate protesters threw soup over Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers in London’s National Gallery on October 14 to protest fossil fuel extraction.
The group Just Stop Oil, which wants the British government to halt new oil and gas projects, said activists dumped two cans of Heinz tomato soup over the oil painting, one of the Dutch artist’s most iconic works.
London’s Metropolitan Police said officers arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.
The group has drawn attention, and criticism, for targeting artworks in museums. In July, Just Stop Oil activists glued themselves to the frame of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper at London’s Royal Academy of Arts, and to John Constable’s The Hay Wain in the National Gallery.
Activists have also blocked bridges and intersections across London during two weeks of protests.
The wave of demonstrations comes as the British government opens a new licensing round for North Sea oil and gas exploration, despite criticism from environmentalists and scientists who say the move undermines the country’s commitment to fighting climate change.
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