Climate activists clashed with weekend crowds at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday, splashing the iconic “Mona Lisa” with canned soup in a provocative act captured on video.
The footage depicts two women hurling a red liquid at the painting, breaching the wooden barrier that typically shields it from visitors.
One of the activists unveils a T-shirt bearing the slogan “Riposte Alimentaire,” signaling affiliation with a French food sustainability activist group. Museum staff swiftly intervene, blocking the view of both the activists and the painting.
The Louvre, responding to the incident in an emailed statement to NBC News, assured that no harm befell the painting, safeguarded by armored glass since 2005. The affected area, known as the “Salle des États” (Room of the States), underwent a calm evacuation and closure for 90 minutes for cleaning.
The museum plans to file a complaint, though it remains unclear whether it will be directed towards law enforcement or the activist group. The “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo Da Vinci, renowned for its portrayal of an Italian noblewoman with a mysterious smile, draws millions of visitors to the Louvre annually.
Riposte Alimentaire, on its website, accuses the French government of violating climate commitments and advocates for a comprehensive food system akin to the state-sponsored healthcare system. This proposal aims to enhance people’s access to healthy food while ensuring fair incomes for farmers.
Meanwhile, French farmers express discontent through road blockades and slowed traffic, demanding better remuneration, reduced bureaucracy, and protection against cheap imports. Some farmers threaten to converge on Paris starting Monday, potentially presenting a significant domestic challenge for new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
International galleries increasingly serve as stages for climate protests, where activists employ food and paint to draw attention to the climate crisis. The “Mona Lisa” faced a similar incident in 2022 when an activist smeared cake on the painting, proclaiming, “Artists tell you: Think of the Earth.”
In London’s Trafalgar Square, the “Just Stop Oil” group targeted Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” with soup in 2022, seeking to pressure the UK government against renewing oil and gas licenses.
