Just Stop Oil protestors found guilty of throwing tomato soup on Van Gogh painting

Francesca Kolar has successfully prosecuted two Just Stop Oil protestors who threw tomato soup onto Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ painting. 

Today Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland have been found guilty of criminal damage, following a trial at Southwark Crown Court, when they threw two tins of Heinz tomato soup at one of the most sought-after pieces of artwork in the National Gallery and the world, ‘Sunflowers’, by the late 19^th century artist Vincent Van Gogh on 14^th October 2022. 

The priceless artwork was not damaged, but actual damage was caused to the 17^th Century Italian frame which housed the painting. The frame was a piece of art in itself, and the tomato soup acted as a paint stripper on such a delicate antique frame. 

The case has attracted a significant amount of media coverage. See here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51y99yrj49o.

The defendants will be sentenced at a later date.

Francesca Kolar is ranked in the Legal 500 2024 as a Rising Star for Crime.