PA averageThree people have been charged for throwing food at two Vincent Van Gogh paintings at the National Gallery.
Sunflower 1888 and Sunflower 1889 presented Orange Soup as part of the critically acclaimed Poets and Lovers exhibition at the central London gallery.
Stephen Simpson, 61, and Mary Somerville, 77, both from Bradford, West Yorkshire, while Phillipa Green, 24, from Pen, Cornwall Lin, was arrested at the scene on Friday.
The Metropolitan Police said they have now been charged with causing criminal damage and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The National Gallery said the two paintings had been withdrawn from public viewing for inspection.
The gallery added that neither artwork was damaged.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agencypaintings Forming part of an exhibition of over 60 works This work was painted by a Dutch artist who died in 1890 at the age of 37.
These two targeted paintings of sunflowers form part of a triptych on display together with a painting of a mother figure.
Its display is significant because before his death, Van Gogh recommended that the paintings be shown to his brother Theo in this way.
The exhibition was well received by critics, with The Times calling it a “once-in-a-century” exhibition and The Guardian calling it a “riveting roller coaster ride”.
This is the third time in recent years that works of art from the National Gallery have been targeted.
