Current:Home > ScamsClimate protesters throw soup on Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' painting in London -Wealth Empowerment Academy
Climate protesters throw soup on Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' painting in London
View
Date:2025-04-13 07:28:27
LONDON — Climate protesters threw soup over Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" in London's National Gallery on Friday to protest fossil fuel extraction, but caused no damage to the glass-covered painting.
The group Just Stop Oil, which wants the British government to halt new oil and gas projects, said activists dumped two cans of tomato soup over the oil painting, one of the Dutch artist's most iconic works. The two protesters also glued themselves to the gallery wall.
The soup splashed across the glass covering the painting and its gilded frame. The gallery said "there is some minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed." It was cleaned and returned to its place in the gallery on Friday afternoon.
The work is one of several versions of "Sunflowers" that Van Gogh painted in the late 1880s.
London's Metropolitan Police said officers arrested two people on suspicion of 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," the force said in a statement.
A group of protesters from the same group later gathered at police headquarters and sprayed yellow paint over the rotating "New Scotland Yard" sign in front of it. Several also glued themselves to the road, blocking traffic. Police said 24 people were arrested.
Just Stop Oil 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.
veryGood! (9831)
Related
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Ben Affleck and His Son Samuel, 12, Enjoy a Rare Night Out Together
- Mattel says it ‘deeply’ regrets misprint on ‘Wicked’ dolls packaging that links to porn site
- BITFII Introduce
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Georgia's humbling loss to Mississippi leads college football winners and losers for Week 11
- Reds honor Pete Rose with a 14-hour visitation at Great American Ball Park
- Jelly Roll goes to jail (for the best reason) ahead of Indianapolis concert
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Fate of Netflix Series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Revealed
Ranking
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico
- Brush fire erupts in Brooklyn's iconic Prospect Park amid prolonged drought
- Suspect arrested after deadly Tuskegee University homecoming shooting
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Veterans Day? Here's what to know
- Taylor Swift's Mom Andrea Gives Sweet Nod to Travis Kelce at Chiefs Game
- Will Trump curb transgender rights? After election, community prepares for worst
Recommendation
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
Why Amanda Seyfried Traded Living in Hollywood for Life on a Farm in Upstate New York
Sister Wives’ Kody Brown Explains His Stance on His Daughter Gwendlyn Brown’s Sexuality
Why Amanda Seyfried Traded Living in Hollywood for Life on a Farm in Upstate New York
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Does your dog have arthritis? A lot of them do. But treatment can be tricky
California voters reject measure that would have banned forced prison labor
NFL playoff picture Week 10: Lions stay out in front of loaded NFC field