Two of Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” paintings were targeted by climate activists at the National Gallery in London on Friday. Members of the Just Stop Oil environmental group splashed what appeared to be tomato soup on the works, protesting recent legal actions against fellow activists.

The paintings, one from 1888 and the other from 1889, were protected by glass and suffered no damage, the gallery confirmed. The works were briefly removed for inspection and later returned to display. The activists were arrested at the scene.

This act followed the sentencing of Phoebe Plummer, 23, and Anna Holland, 22, for a similar attack in 2022. The two were sentenced earlier Friday for throwing tomato soup on another of Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” paintings and gluing themselves to the gallery wall. They were found guilty of criminal damage, with Plummer receiving a two-year sentence and Holland 20 months.

Just Stop Oil has been pressuring the British government to halt new oil and gas projects. The group has staged high-profile protests in public spaces, including sporting events and transport networks.

In both incidents, activists wore shirts supporting Just Stop Oil. Video footage of the recent protest circulated online, showing the activists explaining their belief that future generations would view them as “prisoners of conscience.”

Judge Christopher Hehir, who sentenced Plummer and Holland, remarked that their actions could have caused significant damage to the artworks. However, the activists insisted they had checked the protective glass beforehand. 

The National Gallery reopened the exhibition later that day.