Two climate activists from the group “Last Renovation” threw tomato soup at the protective glass encasing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum. The painting was not damaged, but the incident sparked outrage and debate about the methods used by climate activists.
Two climate activists threw soup at the protective glass of the famous Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre Museum in Paris today. The iconic artwork by Leonardo da Vinci remained unharmed, thanks to the bulletproof glass shielding it.
The activists are affiliated with the French organization ‘Riposte Alimentaire’ (Food Response). They staged the protest to highlight the urgent need for environmental preservation and sustainable food sources. They posed a question during the act, shouting, “What is more important? Art or the right to have a healthy and sustainable food system?”
The protest is part of ongoing demonstrations by French farmers advocating for government action to address issues like unfair import rules, rising input costs, and low wages. Riposte Alimentaire is part of the broader A22 movement. A collection of protest groups in 12 countries, with a history of unconventional protests. Such as pouring soup on Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” painting in 2022 at London’s National Gallery.
French Is Burning
French farmers have been protesting for several days, demanding changes to taxes and regulations. They are particularly concerned about the high prices of essentials like electricity, fertilizer, and transportation, affecting their livelihoods.
The soup-throwing incident at the Mona Lisa marks the beginning of a campaign by Riposte Alimentaire for the social security of sustainable food. This event comes amidst the government’s efforts to address dissatisfaction among farmers ahead of the European Parliament elections.
Mona Lisa, a 16th-century masterpiece, is renowned as one of the most popular and visited artworks globally. Protected behind safety glass since an acid spill incident in 1956. This recent attack is the second in three years. It reflects a trend of targeting famous artworks to raise awareness about climate change. In addition, the Mona Lisa was attacked multiple times in the past, read here!
It remains to be seen how the French government will address these issues. However, both the farmers’ protests and the climate activist stunt are sure to continue to dominate the headlines in the coming days.
