National Gallery London: Popular attraction brings in new ban after 'attacks' by Just Stop Oil that included targeting Van Gogh painting

From Friday (18 October) at 10am, visitors to the National Gallery are being advised to bring "minimal items", "no large bags" and are banning liquids. The gallery said in a statement: "Unfortunately, we have now reached a point where we have been forced to act to protect our visitors, staff and collection.

“From 10am on Friday October 18 2024, no liquids can be brought into the National Gallery, except for baby formula, expressed milk and prescription medicines." The gallery cited paintings including Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, John Constable’s The Hay Wain and Velazquez’s Rokeby Venus among those targeted in "five separate attacks on iconic paintings".

The statement continued: "Such attacks have caused physical damage to the artworks, distress to visitors and staff alike, and disruption to our mission to ensure great art is available for everyone, everywhere to enjoy. Two of these attacks have happened in the last two weeks, and that is why we have taken the difficult and unfortunate decision to change the way we operate for the foreseeable future."

All doors into the Gallery have walk-through metal detectors where bags and rucksacks will be inspected. The gallery said it was "sorry" to make this decision, and believed entry into the museum will now take longer.

It comes after Van Gogh’s Sunflowers was targeted at the gallery which caused damage to the frame, estimated to be worth £10,000 to £20,000, and paintings, according to prosecutor James Bowker. Three Just Stop Oil supporters, Stephen Simpson, of Bradford, West Yorkshire, Mary Somerville, also of Bradford, and Phillipa Green, of Penryn, Cornwall, all pleaded not guilty to criminal damage at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last month. The trio will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on October 28.