28 January 2024, 10:08 GMTUpdated 19 minutes agoVideo caption, Watch: Moment protesters throw soup at Mona Lisa paintingProtesters in France have thrown soup at the glass-protected Mona Lisa, advocating for the right to “healthy and sustainable food”. The 16th Century masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci is among the most renowned artworks globally and is housed at the Louvre in central Paris. The Louvre confirmed that the painting, protected by glass, was not harmed. Video footage depicts two female protesters wearing “food counterattack” T-shirts throwing the liquid and then standing in front of the painting, questioning the importance of art compared to the right to healthy and sustainable food. They express their concern about the agricultural system and the well-being of farmers. As museum security intervenes and the room is cleared, a group called Riposte Alimentaire (Food Counterattack) claims responsibility for the incident. In a statement on X, the group explains that the protest is part of their efforts to integrate “food into the general social security system” and address issues with the current food model. They advocate for a food card worth €150 (£128) to be provided monthly to citizens for purchasing food. The Louvre reports that members of Riposte Alimentaire, described as an environmental movement, sprayed pumpkin soup on the painting around 10:00 local time (09:00 GMT) and that there were no damages. The Salle des Etats, where the artwork is displayed, was evacuated and reopened to visitors at 11:30. The museum intends to file a complaint. France’s Minister for Culture, Rachida Dati, strongly condemns the actions, emphasizing that no cause justifies targeting the Mona Lisa, as it is part of the country’s heritage belonging to future generations. In recent days, there have been protests by farmers in Paris demanding changes to fuel costs and regulations, blocking key roads in and out of the city. The Mona Lisa has been protected by safety glass since the 1950s when it was damaged by a visitor who poured acid on it. In 2019, the museum installed a more transparent form of bulletproof glass. Previously, the painting was stolen from the Louvre in 1911 and recovered two years later.
