Three Just Stop Oil activists deny ‘revenge’ soup attack on Van Gogh paintings at National Gallery

Three people stand outside a building, with two wearing white — Just Stop Oil court case

Three Just Stop Oil supporters have denied carrying out an attack on two Van Gogh paintings after soup was thrown at them hours after other activists were jailed, a court heard.

The paintings, both versions of Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers, were targeted at the National Gallery in central London on Friday shortly after two Just Stop Oil activists were jailed for pouring soup over a Sunflowers by the Dutch artist in October 2022.

Stephen Simpson, 71, Mary Somerville, 77, and Phillipa Green, 24, pleaded not guilty to criminal damage at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Prosecutor James Bowker told the court that the defendants entered the Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers exhibition at the art museum in Trafalgar Square at around 2.30pm on Friday. Simpson and charity worker Green threw soup onto a painting on the left of the gallery and retired teacher Somerville threw soup onto a painting on the right.

The trio then took off their coats to reveal t-shirts which said "Just Stop Oil" on them, the court heard.

The frames of the paintings had been damaged, with an antique frame owned by the National Gallery, estimated to be worth £10,000 to £20,000, likely requiring "lengthy restoration". The value of the other frame, on loan from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, was "unknown, but likely to be in a similar range". Neither painting itself was damaged.

The image shows a framed Van Gogh sunflower painting hanging on a yellow museum wall. The painting depicts vibrant yellow sunflowers in a vase against a blue background. Below the artwork, orange liquid appears to be dripping down the wall, suggesting it has been thrown at the painting. A small museum placard with the number — One of two Vincent Van Gogh paintings targeted at the National Gallery in London by Just Stop Oil activists

Mr Bowker said damage to the artworks would have a "serious social impact", adding the Sunflowers "are loved by millions of people around the world and in the UK". The prosecutor said the value of damage "could be a high total" once it is assessed.

Defending, Raj Chada said the damage to the frames had not been assessed yet, adding: "There was no damage to the paintings whatsoever. They have been covered by a very thick protective glass screen."

District Judge Minhas bailed Simpson, Somerville and Green with the condition of not entering the Greater London area within the M25 except for pre-arranged court appearances. The activists will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on October 28.