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Climate activists jailed after throwing soup at painting

The convicted British climate activists in front of the work of Vincent van Gogh

(Bild: AFP)

Two climate activists have been sent to prison for throwing tomato soup at a painting by Vincent van Gogh in London. A 23-year-old woman was sentenced to two years in prison, her co-accused accomplice (22) to 20 months. Their environmental protection group responded with a new soup attack.

Once again, two works by the painter von Gogh were selected, both entitled "Sunflowers" (1888, 1889). In a statement, Just Stop Oil spoke of "a sign of defiance". The paintings, which are estimated to be worth millions, are usually protected with glass. According to the National Gallery in London, three people have been arrested.

The soup grab is a reaction to prison sentences for two climate activists (22, 23). As reported, the two young women had thrown canned tomato soup at van Gogh's famous Sunflowers painting (1888) in October 2022. They then knelt down in front of the artwork and stuck their hands to the wall. At the start of the trial, they pleaded not guilty.

Here you can see a tweet from the group.

The painting in the National Gallery in London was not damaged in the incident as it was protected by a pane of glass. Only the frame was damaged. But that was luck. The soup could have seeped through the glass and severely damaged the painting, a judge has now said. "They (the activists, editor's note) had no right to do that to the sunflowers." The property damage amounted to around 12,000 euros.

Just Stop Oil group
More than 100 people from the art industry recently spoke out in favor of sparing the activists a prison sentence. The group behind the attack, Just Stop Oil, campaigns for more climate protection and had called on the former British government to stop issuing new licenses for oil and gas extraction.