Attack on Van Gogh painting
Activists are released on bail
10/15/2022, 9:09 p.m
The two women who poured tomato soup on a Van Gogh painting in London have been released on bail until the trial begins in December. Both reject the accusation of having damaged the frame of the picture.
Two environmental activists have been brought before a British court after the attack on a Vincent Van Gogh masterpiece. The two 20 and 21-year-old women pleaded “not guilty” and rejected the allegation of damaging the frame of the world-famous painting “Sunflowers”. Defense attorney Katie McFadden said prosecutors must prove damage was caused.
The judge released the activists on bail until the trial, scheduled to begin in December. However, they may not enter galleries or museums, nor carry paint or glue in public places.
During the campaign by the environmental group “Just Stop Oil” in the National Gallery in London on Friday, the two activists poured tomato soup on the Dutch painter’s masterpiece. Then they knelt in front of the artwork and taped their hands to the wall.
As the National Gallery announced, their action caused “minor damage to the frame”. However, the painting from 1888 itself remained “undamaged”. The painting, which has an estimated value of around 84 million euros, was protected by a pane of glass. The protest group “Just Stop Oil” is demanding that the British government stop all new oil and gas projects immediately.