Just Stop Oil activists who threw tomato soup over priceless Van Gogh Sunflowers painting are found guilty of criminal damage
Just Stop Oil activists who threw tomato soup over a valuable Van Gogh painting have been found guilty of vandalism.
Anna Holland and Phoebe Plummer, both 22, threw two cans of Heinz soup at the Dutch artist’s 1888 masterpiece, which went on display at the National Gallery on October 14, 2022.
After attacking the painting, the two then glued themselves to the wall.
Although the £72.5 million oil painting was protected by a glass cover and remained unscathed, its 17th-century Italian frame was damaged.
Both Plummer and Holland declined to say who instructed them before carrying out the publicity stunt.
The pair had visited the museum in Trafalgar Square the day before the incident and bought the cans of soup at a Tesco supermarket in central London.
They denied the charges, but were convicted of damaging property by a jury after a four-day trial at Southwark Crown Court.
They showed no emotion as the jury announced its verdict.
The court was told the painting was protected by a glass cover, but that damage had been caused to the antique 17th century Italian wooden frame surrounding it
The painting is considered a masterpiece and is one of the most recognizable works of art in the world
Judge Christopher Hehir is expected to release the two on bail pending sentencing at a date yet to be determined.
Last week he sentenced JSO founder Roger Hallam, 58, and four other activists to a total of 21 years in prison for bringing the M25 to a standstill for four days in a row.
Sentencing them, Judge Hehir said they had “crossed the line from concerned activists to fanatics”.
Francesca Kolar, prosecuting, said Plummer and Holland had done their work in Gallery 43, which housed one of the most famous and “sought-after works of art” – Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.
When the coast was clear, they took off their jackets and wore white T-shirts with the slogan “Just Stop Oil.”
‘They took two cans of Heinz tomato soup out of bags and threw the contents of the cans of tomato soup onto the painting at the same time.’
‘They knelt down and began to open tubes of super glue and smear it on their left hands. They secured their hands to the gallery wall behind them.
‘The Crown is calling it a publicity stunt to draw attention to the aims of Just Stop Oil as it targets one of the world’s most famous paintings in the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square in the heart of the capital.’
‘While this carried the risk of serious damage to a priceless painting by one of the greatest artists – Vincent Van Gogh – there was, we say, damage to the 17th-century Italian frame that The National Gallery selected specifically for this painting in 1999.’
Two protesters threw cans of Heinz tomato soup over Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the National Gallery on October 14, 2022
The masterpiece was painted in 1888 by Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, who is depicted here in a self-portrait he made that same year.
People shouted ‘Oh my god’ as the painting was attacked during the protest. The footage was filmed and quickly posted to the JSO Twitter page.
Frame restorer Isabella Kocum said in a statement read to the jury: ‘I was shocked and appalled by the level of corrosion this tomato soup had caused to the beautiful antique frame.
‘The frame was specially chosen for Van Gogh’s painting because of the matching color scheme.’
‘I continue to be amazed at how corrosive the soup was to the body.’
‘Even when most of the soup had been removed, I was dismayed to see that the residue was acting as a kind of paint stripper.’
Wearing a blue floral dress and a pink and red striped scarf, Holland explained why they used tomato soup.
‘The first reason is that it stands out more and it’s different to paint.
“The second reason is that tomato soup is symbolic of the link between the climate crisis and the cost of living crisis.”
Asked if she understood the painting could be damaged, the Newcastle University graduate replied: ‘No, I understood the painting was protected. The frame didn’t even cross my mind. I never thought the painting would be damaged.
‘I have been concerned about the climate crisis since I was a child. I know that climate change will hit my generation and every generation younger than me the hardest.
“It really scares me. I was really worried about the cost of living.”
During cross-examination by Mrs. Kolar, Holland was asked from whom she and Plummer received instructions.
She replied, “I don’t know. Someone else from Just Stop Oil.”
Plummer has been called the JSO “poster girl.” Last November, she was sentenced to six months in prison for participating in a slow march to protest gas and oil.
The former University of Manchester student told the court: ‘Anna and I are both young people, driven by a deep, deep fear of what lies ahead.
‘We are motivated by a love of life. We are motivated by the fact that we are being abandoned by our government that refuses to take appropriate action.
‘I’m sure I’m not the only one who remembers our energy bills going through the roof.
‘I’m not the only one who wore a coat and gloves indoors so as not to have to turn on the heating.’
Plummer claimed she knew the painting would be well protected by “robust” glass and told the court she was prepared to go to jail.
“I’m willing to risk the consequences. I’m willing to risk time in prison… It’s that serious.
“We have experienced the wettest 18 months since records began. All our food security is at risk.”
Asked if she took instructions from anyone, Plummer replied: ‘I wouldn’t say I took instructions. I wasn’t forced or told to do anything.
“I was presented with a plan and asked if I thought it was a good idea. I don’t act on instructions from anyone else.”
Holland, from Newcastle, and Plummer, from Lambeth, denied the charges but were convicted of damaging property.