Van Gogh painting ‘may have increased in value after climate protest’, lawyer claims

Just Stop Oil supporters Emily Brocklebank, 23, and Louis McKechnie, 22, are accused of damaging a valuable picture frame

Just Stop Oil protester Emily Brocklebank arrives at Westminster Magistrates’ Court (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

Climate activists may have “increased” the value of a Vincent Van Gogh painting after gluing themselves to its frame at a London art gallery, their lawyer has suggested.

Just Stop Oil supporters Emily Brocklebank, 23, and Louis McKechnie, 22, are accused of causing just under £2,000 of criminal damage to the frame.

Jonathan Bryan, prosecuting, said the activists used super glue to attach themselves to Van Gogh’s 1889 work Peach Trees In Blossom at the Courtauld Gallery, on the Strand, on June 30.

But Francesca Cociani, defending the pair at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, questioned Karen Serres, a curator at the gallery.

She said: “It’s possible that this very painting has now increased in value because of the protest it was subject to by the defendants.

“Say the institute was to sell it on in 20 to 30 years, is it possible its value would now increase?”

Ms Serres replied: “Absolutely not.”

The witness said she believes the painting cannot be sold.

CCTV footage showed the activists walking in the building at about 3.30pm after purchasing tickets for an exhibition.

They then took off their jackets to reveal orange Just Stop Oil T-shirts and attached themselves to the artwork.

Mr Bryan said: “They waited until the coast was clear, when the gallery attendants looked away or were perhaps distracted by another member of the group.”

The prosecutor said: “These actions did in fact cause criminal damage”.

He said the painting, which is worth “millions” was not damaged but the “valuable” frame was.

Mr Bryan added: “The defendants say they were expressing their rights, under the European convention … to freedom of expression … and of assembly.

“They say the exercise of those rights gives them a lawful excuse.

“But these are qualified rights, not absolute rights.”

Ms Serres told the court it took three hours for the activists to be removed, with the incident lasting until after closing time.

She said: “There were concerns over how much of the glue had seeped into the frame and the painting itself.”

When it comes to protesting, just speaking does not get a platform. By gluing, it gives a story which the media chooses to follow

Defendant Emily Brocklebank

There were also worries about the solvent used by police to remove the activists, the court heard.

Ms Serries said the frame, worth around £20,000, dates back to the 18th century.

She said: “There were large areas of glue left behind and areas of solvent which had seeped into the gilding of the frame.

“Parts of the frame had fallen off.”

Ms Serres said it took six hours for the painting to be removed from the frame and put back again.

Brocklebank, a student, told the court: “When it comes to protesting, just speaking does not get a platform.

“By gluing, it gives a story which the media chooses to follow.”

She added: “I didn’t think I would cause much damage. Glue comes off.”

The defendant said the painting’s owner would have “consented” to the protest.

She said: “Any good human would agree with trying to sustain life on Earth.”

Brocklebank, from Leeds, who appeared in person, and McKechnie, from Weymouth, Dorset, who appeared in custody from HMP Peterborough, deny the charges.

Xavier Gonzales-Trimmer, 21, originally faced the same charges after being accused of “distracting the guards” – but they were dropped.

However, he was fined for failing to appear at the court for a first hearing.

The trial continues later on Tuesday.