Protesters Attack The Mona Lisa
Two members of Riposte Alimentaire threw soup at the Mona Lisa, Video still: clpress.fr
In a bold display of protest in Paris on Sunday, environmental activists targeted Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre museum. The painting, renowned globally and a magnet for millions of art enthusiasts annually, faced an unusual assault. Despite its small size, measuring just over 2.5 feet tall and under 2 feet wide, the “Mona Lisa” commands immense attention. However, the painting’s security glass, installed around 70 years ago, proved its worth by shielding the masterpiece from any harm during this incident.
Captured by the French news agency CLPRESS, footage showed two women, identified as members of the food protest group Riposte Alimentaire ("food response"), breaching the semi-circular barrier surrounding the painting. They hurled soup at the “Mona Lisa” and then positioned themselves defiantly in front of the artwork. Amidst their protest, they vocally demanded rights to "healthy and sustainable food," criticizing the current agricultural system. Security personnel promptly responded by shielding the painting with black screens.
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The “Salle des Etats,” the room housing this treasured artwork, was briefly evacuated but reopened shortly after. The Louvre museum, in response to the soup-throwing incident, announced its intention to file a complaint, confirming that the painting remained unscathed thanks to its protective glass. Paris police have since arrested two individuals linked to the act.
Rachida Dati, France's Minister of Culture Twitter response
Rachida Dati, France's Minister of Culture, took to social media to denounce the attack. Emphasizing the timeless value of the “Mona Lisa,” known in France as "La Joconde" for its enigmatic smile, Dati declared that such acts of vandalism could never be justified, stressing the painting's significance to future generations. She also expressed solidarity with the Louvre staff.
This incident coincided with a weekend of agricultural protests in Paris. It followed a similar act of defiance two months prior when climate activists from Just Stop Oil attacked Diego Velazquez's "The Toilet of Venus" ("Rokeby Venus") at London's National Gallery. That painting, too, suffered minor damage but was restored and returned to display after a brief conservation period.
