Climate Activists Throw Soup At Mona Lisa Painting In Paris
Following the incident, the Louvre evacuated the "Salle des Etats" room where the Mona Lisa is displayed, but it has since reopened to the public.
In an unsettling incident at the Louvre museum in Paris, the renowned painting 'Mona Lisa' faced another attack, this time from climate change activists. Two individuals threw pumpkin soup at the protective glass surrounding the masterpiece, breaching security measures to approach the painting closely.
Video shows activists splashing soup at the painting
Video footage captured the moment as the activists targeted Leonardo da Vinci's iconic work.
ALERTE - Des militantes pour le climat jettent de la soupe sur le tableau de La Joconde au mus¨¦e du Louvre. @CLPRESSFR pic.twitter.com/Aa7gavRRc4
¡ª CLPRESS / Agence de presse (@CLPRESSFR) January 28, 2024
The environmental group Riposte Alimentaire claimed responsibility for the vandalism, stating that two protesters affiliated with their campaign were involved. "What is more important? Art or the right to have a healthy and sustainable food system?" shouted the activists, speaking in French, reported Reuters.
They had ducked under a security barrier to get as close as they could to the painting.
Following the incident, the Louvre evacuated the "Salle des Etats" room where the Mona Lisa is displayed, but it has since reopened to the public.
¡°Two activists from the environmental movement ¡®Riposte Alimentaire¡¯ sprayed pumpkin soup on the armoured glass protecting the Mona Lisa, this Sunday, January 28, 2024, around 10am (4aET),¡± a statement from the museum said. ¡°The Louvre¡¯s security staff immediately intervened.¡± The museum said it was lodging a complaint.
One of the many controversies regarding Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci's iconic masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, is prominently displayed in the Louvre museum, captivating millions of visitors annually. Despite its diminutive size, just over 2.5 feet tall and under 2 feet wide, the enigmatic portrait garners immense attention.
However, its fame has not shielded it from acts of vandalism and theft over the years.
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Notably, in 1911, a Louvre employee stole the painting, catapulting it to international notoriety. Subsequently, in the 1950s, the canvas endured an acid attack, prompting the museum to reinforce protective measures, including installing bulletproof glass.
In 2009, an enraged woman threw a ceramic cup at the painting, damaging the cup but leaving the artwork unscathed. More recently, in 2022, a visitor smeared frosting on the protective glass encasing the Renaissance-era masterpiece.
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