Mona Lisa’s painting faces attack again, this time by climate activists

The iconic ‘Mona Lisa painting at Paris’ Louvre museum found itself under attack once again, this time targeted by climate change activists. 

On Sunday, two individuals from the French organization ‘Riposte Alimentaire’ (food response) aimed to draw attention to environmental and food sustainability issues.

Dodging security measures, the activists approached the protective glass in front of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, hurling soup at its surface. 

This marks the second attack on the ‘Mona Lisa’ within three years, as the painting was previously smothered in cream during a protest in May 2022.

In a video capturing the incident, the activists questioned the choice between art and the right to a healthy and sustainable food system. Their protest seeks to emphasize the urgency of protecting the environment and food sources.

This incident adds to a series of climate activist actions targeting artworks globally. 

Past attacks include throwing soup at Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ in London’s National Gallery and campaigners gluing themselves to Goya paintings in Madrid’s Prado Museum. 

As climate activists continue to employ such tactics, the incidents raise debates about the intersection of art, activism, and environmental concerns.