Just Stop Oil Activists Who Threw Tomato Soup at Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ Get Prison Time

Two activists from the protest group Just Stop Oil have been found guilty of criminal damage after throwing tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh‘s Sunflowers.

On October 14 of2022, Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland threw soup at the painting, housed at the at the National Gallery of Art in London, before super-glueing their hands to the nearby wall.

BBC News reported that Judge Christopher Hehir told Plummer and Holland they “came within the width of a pane of glass of destroying one of the most valuable artworks in the world” and to be “prepared in practical and emotional terms to go to prison” at Southwark Crown Court.

Prosecutors also told the court that the painting’s antique 17th century Italian frame was “a piece of art in itself” and its patinated surface was damaged as a result of the protest.

The judge’s bail conditions also stipulated the two activists were not to visit any galleries or museums, as well as not carry glue, paint, or other adhesive substances in public places.

Plummer and Holland will be sentenced on September 27.

Solicitor Katie McFadden, who represented Holland, told BBC News she was “extremely disappointed” about the verdict and was considering an appeal.

“The government continuously proves that they have little to no interest in attempting to curb climate change,” she said. “They have proven that they have a great deal of interest in investing time and money into prosecuting young people trying to fight for the future of themselves and their children.

“We are disappointed about the limitations imposed, which prevented Holland and Plummer from fully explaining their motivations while giving evidence.”

Plummer spoke about the reasons for the protest in a viral video, explaining that she hoped to draw attention to issues such as the large number of fossil fuel licenses former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss granted, the amount of subsidies that fossil fuels receive compared to renewable energy despite the significantly lower reported cost of offshore wind, as well as the connection to the cost of living crisis in the UK with growing concerns about the cost of energy. 

The National Gallery had initially said the Van Gogh painting had not been hurt, but its frame had sustained “minor damage.” The painting went back on display at the National Gallery two days after the protest.