Climate protesters threw soup on the canvas The sunflowersby Vincent van Gogh, at the National Gallery in London on Friday in protest against fossil fuel extraction.
The group Just Stop Oil, which wants the UK government to curb new oil and gas projects, claimed activists threw two cans of tomato soup at the oil painting, one of the most iconic works of Dutch artist.
London’s Metropolitan Police said officers arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespassing.
The group has drawn attention and criticism for targeting artworks in museums. In July, Just Stop Oil activists clung to the framework of The Lord’s Supperby Leonardo da Vinci, at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and that of The Hay Cartby John Constable, at the National Gallery.
Activists also blocked bridges and intersections across London during two weeks of protests.
The wave of protests comes as the UK government opens a new licensing round for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, despite criticism from environmentalists and scientists who say the move undermines the country’s commitment to tackling climate change.
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