Two Climate Activists Throw Tomato Soup On Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' Painting In London. Watch Video

The artwork is estimated to be around USD 84.4 million. The group later tweeted that the protest's message was to “choose life over art”.

Screengrab from video ( Image Source :Twitter )

New Delhi: Two climate activists poured a can of tomato soup on the famous painting ‘Sunflowers’ of Vincent Van Gogh in London’s national gallery in a bid to protest against fossil fuel extraction.

In a video that has gone viral on the social media, two girls can be seen walking up to the painting and pouring a can of tomato soup on it. Then with their hands glued to the wall, asked, “What is worth more, art or life? Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet and people?”

🥫 JUST STOP OIL SUPPORTERS CHOOSE LIFE OVER ART 🥫

🎨 Human creativity and brilliance is on show in this gallery, yet our heritage is being destroyed by our Government’s failure to act on the climate and cost of living crisis.#VanGogh #FreeLouis #FreeJosh #CivilResistance pic.twitter.com/gXXGLsi0ej

— Just Stop Oil ⚖️💀🛢 (@JustStop_Oil) October 14, 2022

“The cost of living crisis is part of the cost of the oil crisis. Fuel is unaffordable to millions of cold hungry families. They can’t even afford to heat a tin of soup,” they said.

People in the background can be heard reacting to the incident as the soup trailed down the wall. “Oh my god,” one person can be heard saying, while another called for security immediately.

The artwork is estimated to be around USD 84.4 million. The group later tweeted that the protest's message was to “choose life over art”. 

It is to be noted that in July, ‘Just Stop Oil’ activists had 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.

The activists have also blocked bridges and intersections across London in the recent protests over the last two weeks. The group has drawn attention, but also criticism, for targeting artworks in museums.