Two people have been arrested for vandalising a Vincent van Gogh sunflower painting at London’s National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.
The vandals are believed to be climate activists acting to stop the UK government from investing in fossil fuels.
UK’s Metropolitan Police have confirmed the arrest of two suspects in ‘Just Stop Oil’ T-shirts.
The culprits were apprehended after opening cans of what is suspected to be tomato soup and throwing them on the masterpiece.
The pair identified as Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland went on to glue their hands on the wall next to the painting.
According to The Insider, they were shouting, “What is worth more – art or life? Is it worth more than food? Worth more than justice? Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet and people?”
WATCH Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland destroy the painting:
Activists with @JustStop_Oil have thrown tomato soup on Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the national Gallery and glued themselves to the wall. pic.twitter.com/M8YP1LPTOU
— Damien Gayle (@damiengayle) October 14, 2022
According to BBC News, the incident took place on 14 October at around 11am when the two individuals entered Room 43 at the gallery where the 1888 Van Gogh is kept.
A statement released by the gallery confirmed the incident.
“There is some minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed.“
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Picture: Mark A D Hay / Facebook
