Protesters advocating for the right to “healthy and sustainable food” threw soup at the iconic Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris. The 16th Century masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci, housed in the central Paris museum, remains undamaged behind its protective glass.
Video footage captured two female demonstrators, adorned with “food counterattack” T-shirts, flinging liquid at the painting. Standing defiantly, they questioned the prioritization of art over the essential need for nutritious and sustainable food. Their message conveyed concerns about a failing agricultural system and the plight of struggling farmers.
Security personnel promptly intervened, placing black screens in front of the protesters before evacuating the room. The group responsible for the act, named Riposte Alimentaire (Food Counterattack), asserted that the protest aimed to integrate “food into the general social security system.” They criticized the existing food model for marginalizing the most vulnerable and called for a monthly €150 (£128) food card for citizens.
The Louvre confirmed the incident, clarifying that the painting had been targeted with pumpkin soup but suffered no damage. The affected room, Salle des Etats, was evacuated and reopened after cleaning at 11:30 local time. The museum expressed its intention to file a complaint against the activists.
France’s Minister for Culture, Rachida Dati, condemned the act, asserting that “no cause” justifies targeting the Mona Lisa. She emphasized the painting’s significance as part of the country’s heritage belonging to future generations.
The protest coincided with recent farmer demonstrations in Paris, where concerns about escalating fuel costs and complex regulations led to road blockades. Notably, the Mona Lisa has been shielded behind safety glass since the 1950s, following an acid attack. In 2019, enhanced bulletproof glass was installed after an activist threw cake at the painting, urging environmental awareness.
The Louvre’s most famous exhibit, stolen in 1911 and recovered in 1913, remains an enduring symbol of art’s resilience against various challenges. The recent soup-throwing incident underscores the ongoing tension between cultural preservation and contemporary social issues.