Climate change activists attack 'Mona Lisa' with soup at Paris Louvre
In a dramatic protest at Paris' Louvre Museum, two climate change activists targeted Leonardo da Vinci's iconic "Mona Lisa" on Sunday.
They hurled red soup at the protective glass shielding the masterpiece, eliciting gasps from stunned onlookers. Footage of the incident reveals the women vaulting a security barrier to reach the painting and then being apprehended by Louvre security.
The protesters, representing the French group "Riposte Alimentaire" (Food Response), aimed to emphasize the urgency of protecting the environment and food sources. "What is more vital? Art or a healthy, sustainable food system?" they demanded in French. The organization later stated that the protest highlighted the critical intersection of climate change and food security.
This incident follows a pattern of climate activists using art to draw attention to their cause. In May 2022, a similar protest left the "Mona Lisa's" glass cover smeared with cream. Other notable examples include an attack on Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" in London's National Gallery in October 2022 and activists gluing themselves to Goya paintings at Madrid's Prado Museum the following month. These actions continue to spark debate over the efficacy and ethics of using art in climate protests.
