Paris: Protesters threw soup at the Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre Museum.”

On January 28, 2024, an incident occurred at the Louvre Museum in Paris involving the Mona Lisa painting. Two climate activists threw red soup at the artwork, which is protected by glass. The protesters, wearing T-shirts with “Riposte Alimentaire” printed on them, were part of a climate activist group. They crossed a security boundary to get closer to the painting, raising their voices about the importance of “healthy and sustainable food” and criticizing the current farming system.

The protesters shouted, “What’s the most important thing? Art, or the right to healthy and sustainable food?” They claimed that “our farming system is sick, our farmers are dying at work.” Museum staff quickly intervened, covering the painting with black screens and evacuating the room.

Thankfully, the Mona Lisa was not damaged due to the protective glass. The two individuals involved, aged 24 and 63, were part of Riposte Alimentaire’s new campaign to “demand the establishment of sustainable food social security.” They were subsequently arrested by Paris police.

This protest coincides with ongoing farmer protests in France over low wages, rising costs, and regulations, with some farmers threatening to converge on Paris to block main roads leading to the capital.

The Louvre has stated it will lodge a complaint, and Rachida Dati, France’s Minister for Culture, emphasized that “no cause” could justify the targeting of the Mona Lisa, as it “belongs to future generations.”

This incident is part of a series of protests targeting famous artworks. In the past, similar actions have included throwing cake at the Mona Lisa and other famous paintings to draw attention to various causes, particularly climate change and environmental issues