Two daring climate activists vandalized the famous Mona Lisa painting at the Paris Louvre Museum. The activists threw soup at the protective glass covering Leonardo da Vinci’s well-known artwork in an attempt to raise awareness of environmental issues and sustainable food practices.
The incident was caught on camera and went viral on social media. It featured the two people breaking through a security barrier and getting close to the painting while donning t-shirts that said “Riposte Alimentaire.” They were speaking their minds as they hurled soup at the glass, challenging the idea that the right to wholesome, sustainably produced food should take precedence over the arts. Additionally, they emphasized the suffering of farmers by declaring, “Our farming system is sick.” At work, our farmers are passing away.”
Reacting quickly, the personnel of the Louvre Museum evacuated the room and put black panels in front of the Mona Lisa. The protective glass reportedly prevented any damage to the painting itself. It was determined that the object thrown was pumpkin soup. Two people were detained, according to Paris police, who confirmed this after the incident.
The demonstration took place against the backdrop of French farmers voicing their complaints about things like inadequate salaries. Road blockades and the dumping of agricultural trash at government offices have been two of the protest tactics used.
On social media, Riposte Alimentaire took credit for the soup-throwing incident and emphasized their position about the climate pledges made by the French government. They support a state-sponsored healthcare-like system that would guarantee access to wholesome food and fairly compensate farmers.
This demonstration at the Louvre is a part of an increasing movement in which activists are calling attention to environmental and climatic change by defacing well-known works of art. A similar occurrence happened in May 2022 when someone staged a climate protest by smearing cake on the Mona Lisa’s protective glass.
The recent actions of Riposte Alimentaire and others demonstrate the urgency with which activists are raising awareness of climate change and its effects on agriculture and food systems, as well as the unconventional tactics they are using to do so.