Environmental activists throw soup over Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' in London

The National Gallery clarifies that "the painting has not been damaged"

Two environmental activists have thrown tomato soup on Vicent Van Gogh's painting 'The Sunflowers', exhibited at the National Gallery in London, on Friday to protest against the exploitation of fossil fuel deposits in the United Kingdom.

The activists have stood in front of the work and thrown the soup on it, to immediately stick their hands to the wall. "What is worth more? Art or life?", has raised one of them. "Are you more concerned about protecting a painting than protecting the planet?" She added, in a video released by the group Just Stop Oil.

The museum has reported that the event took place around 11:00 (local time) and led to the eviction of the room. The Police explained on Twitter that several agents arrived "quickly" at the scene and proceeded to arrest the two activists who have stained the painting, "for damage and violation of property."

The National Gallery has clarified that "the painting has not been damaged", although not the frame, which has some "minor" damage. The work, painted in 1888, is one of seven representations of sunflowers Van Gogh painted in the late 19th century to decorate his house in Arles before a visit from his friend Paul Gauguin.

The Just Stop Oil campaign has been mobilizing for two weeks, with protests around Parliament and other key points in London. Last weekend, more than a hundred people were arrested as part of the mobilizations promoted by environmental organizations.