Eco-activists doused van Gogh masterpiece worth 86 million euros in soup
Members of the Just Stop Oil group poured Heinz tomato soup over the painting "Sunflowers" at the National Gallery in London, criticizing new oil and gas projects. The activists have been arrested.
Two environmental activists from the group Just Stop Oil poured tomato soup on Vincent van Gogh's masterpiece "Sunflowers", which is on display at the National Gallery in London. The incident took place in the late morning of Friday, October 14th. The painting, which is valued at more than $84 million (€86 million), has been splashed with two cans of Heinz soup.
According to representatives of the museum, the frame received minor damage, but the canvas itself was not damaged. Both activists were detained. The police are on the scene.
Statement from the National Gallery pic.twitter.com/DuZhTbAvbH
— National Gallery (@NationalGallery) October 14, 2022
Just Stop Oil linked its action to demands that the British government immediately abandon all new oil and gas projects. "The cost of living crisis and the climate crisis are fueled by oil and gas," the group said.
Eco-activists protest in museums
In recent weeks, climate activists around the world have repeatedly glued themselves to the frames or protective acrylic glass of famous paintings. In August, two activists glued themselves to a work by Lucas Cranach the Elder at the Berlin Art Gallery and Raphael's world-famous Sistine Madonna in Dresden. In addition, similar actions were held in Florence and London.