In a shocking turn of events at the Louvre Museum in Paris, two eco activists were arrested after they threw soup at the iconic masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, before shouting climate slogans at the gathered crowd. The incident occurred during a demonstration organized by the French group Riposte Alimentaire, which translates to ‘food response.’ The protesters demanded the right to ‘healthy and sustainable food’ as they targeted the 16th-century masterpiece painted by Leonardo Da Vinci.
The Louvre Museum, home to countless priceless artworks, including the Mona Lisa, is one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions. It attracts millions of visitors each year who come to admire its vast collection of art and historical artifacts. However, on this fateful day, the Mona Lisa became the center of attention for a different reason.
The shocking protest unfolded in the Salle des Etats, the room where the Mona Lisa is prominently displayed. The demonstrators, fueled by their passion for climate activism and food security, took the drastic step of spraying the world-famous painting with pumpkin soup. The incident sent shockwaves through the museum as visitors and staff looked on in disbelief.
The Louvre Museum acted swiftly in response to the protest. The Salle des Etats was evacuated as a precautionary measure, and the room was closed for an hour to facilitate the cleaning of the artwork and the protective glass covering it. Fortunately, the museum authorities confirmed that no damage was done to the painting itself, thanks to the bulletproof glass that has protected it since 2005. However, the museum announced its intention to lodge a complaint against the activists responsible for the disruptive incident.
The daring act was not without consequences for the eco activists. Following the protest, French police arrested two individuals believed to be responsible for the soup-throwing incident. The demonstrators were identified as 24-year-old Sasha and Marie-Juliette, aged 63. They were associated with the Riposte Alimentaire group, which later claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the group, the two women had hurled tomato soup at the painting.
The eco activists used the incident as a platform to raise questions about the priorities of society. In front of the painting, they posed a thought-provoking question, asking, “What is more important? Art or the right to healthy and sustainable food?” They emphasized the state of the agricultural system, claiming that their farmers were struggling and even dying at work. These questions were intended to draw attention to the urgent need for reforms in the food industry to ensure accessibility to healthy and sustainable food for all.
The Louvre Museum, in its official statement, highlighted that the Mona Lisa remained unharmed, thanks to the robust security measures in place. The incident had caused temporary disruption, but the museum resumed normal operations shortly after the cleaning process was completed.
This act of protest coincided with ongoing demonstrations by French farmers who were demanding better pay, changes in taxation, and regulatory reforms. The protesters sought to address the challenges faced by farmers in the country, drawing attention to their struggles.
The incident at the Louvre Museum was not an isolated event. It was part of a larger pattern of climate activists using high-profile actions to demand more action in combating climate change and phasing out fossil fuels. Riposte Alimentaire, the group behind this protest, specifically called for the establishment of sustainable food social security. In a lengthy statement, the group advocated for the integration of food into the general social security system, aiming to address the issue of food insecurity in France, where a significant portion of the population relies on food aid.
The eco activists’ actions sparked discussions about the importance of addressing both environmental and social issues. While art and culture are undoubtedly significant, the protesters argued that the right to healthy and sustainable food should not be overlooked. Their actions served as a reminder of the need to balance these priorities and find solutions that benefit both the planet and its inhabitants.
This incident also recalled a previous attack on the Mona Lisa in May 2022 when someone threw a custard pie at it. Fortunately, on both occasions, the painting remained unscathed due to the protective measures in place.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, food security, and social justice, incidents like this one at the Louvre Museum serve as a stark reminder of the urgency of these issues. They compel us to reflect on the role of art, culture, and activism in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for all. While the methods of protest may be unconventional, the message is clear: the need for change cannot be ignored.