Paris climate activists hurl soup at "Mona Lisa" in protest for sustainable food

At the Louvre museum in Paris, two climate change activists from the French group "Riposte Alimentaire" (Food Response) expressed their demand for "healthy and sustainable food" by throwing red soup at Leonardo da Vinci's renowned "Mona Lisa." The incident, captured in video footage, unfolded as the activists slipped beneath security barriers to approach the masterpiece, which is protected by bullet-proof glass.

Activists Plead for a Cause

The activists posed a poignant question in French, shouting, "What is more important? Art or the right to have a healthy and sustainable food system?" Their demonstration aimed to underscore the significance of environmental protection and sustainable food sources, as highlighted in the statement issued by Riposte Alimentaire.



A Series of Art Protests

This incident is part of a global trend where activists leverage art to raise awareness about climate change. Notably, the "Mona Lisa" faced a custard pie attack in May 2022, but the protective glass prevented any damage. Similar attempts have targeted Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" in London's National Gallery and Goya paintings in Madrid's Prado museum.

Global Climate Movement

Riposte Alimentaire operates within the A22 umbrella movement, encompassing protest groups in 12 countries, including Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion. This collective effort reflects a growing global concern for environmental issues and the urgency to address them.

Security Concerns and Previous Attacks

The incident raises questions about security measures at major galleries. Strict bag controls have become common due to numerous attacks on paintings, including a mashed potato assault on Claude Monet’s Les Meules in Germany. Previous incidents involved tomato soup poured over Van Gogh’s "Sunflowers" by Just Stop Oil at the National Gallery in London.

As art institutions grapple with the challenge of preserving cultural heritage, the clash between activism and artistic preservation continues. The "Mona Lisa" remains a symbolic canvas for such debates, emphasizing the need for a delicate balance between safeguarding art and addressing pressing global issues like climate change.