‘MONA LISA’ SLIME
What two climate-change activists did to the “Mona Lisa” on Sunday is enough to wipe that famous smile off her face.
In caught-on-video vandalism, the pair hurled pumpkin soup at the 530-year-old painting in Paris’ Louvre Museum as patrons gasped.
“What is more important?” the two shouted in French. “Art or the right to have a healthy and sustainable food system?”
The two are members of the activist group called Riposte Alimetaire, or Food Response, which issued a statement saying the stunt was meant to highlight the need to protect the environment.
Art unharmed
Fortunately, Leonardo da Vinci’s legendary 16th-century masterpiece, valued at $860 million, was unharmed, thanks to safety glass installed in front of it.
The museum said in a statement, “Two activists from the environmental movement ‘Riposte Alimentaire’ sprayed pumpkin soup on the armored glass protecting the Mona Lisa, this Sunday, January 28, 2024, around 10 a.m. The Louvre’s security staff immediately intervened.”
Museum officials said they were filing a complaint against the activists.
It wasn’t the first time protesters targeted the “Mona Lisa” and her legendary subtle smile. In 2022, a self-proclaimed eco-warrior wearing a wig and lipstick tried to break through the protective glass and then threw a cake at the painting.
“Think of the Earth!” the man shouted. “There are people who are destroying the Earth. Think about it, artists tell you, think of the Earth. That’s why I did this.”
And “Mona Lisa” isn’t cold and lonely when it comes to activist vandalism.
Later in 2022, two protesters hurled Heinz tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at the National Gallery in London.
Those vandals, identified as Anna Holland and Phoebe Plummer, were arrested.