Soup Protest at the Louvre: A New Form of Activism?

In a surprising turn of events, the world-renowned Mona Lisa painting became the target of an unusual protest. On Sunday, January 28, 2024, two activists from the environmental movement 'Riposte Alimentaire' hurled soup at the bullet-proof glass protecting the iconic artwork.

The Incident

The Mona Lisa, a 16th-century painting by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the world's most famous artworks and is held at the Louvre in Paris. The painting sits behind bulletproof glass, so it was unlikely to have been damaged. The world’s most well-known painting was left covered in what appeared to be tomato soup.

The protesters were two activists wearing shirts with the words “Food Response” emblazoned on them. They launched into a speech about sustainable agriculture and the food supply chain. This incident is part of a series of protests targeting the Mona Lisa, which has previously been subjected to an acid attack, a ceramic cup thrown at it, and frosting smeared on its protective glass.

The Aftermath

The Louvre Museum confirmed that no damage was done to the painting. The “Salle des Etats” (Room of the States) where the painting is displayed was “evacuated calmly” and closed for 90 minutes while the display was cleaned. The museum will complain, although it was not clear whether this was to law enforcement officials or to the activist group.

The Bigger Picture

This incident raises questions about the methods and effectiveness of such protests. While the act of throwing soup at a painting might seem extreme, it has certainly drawn attention to the cause the protesters were advocating for. However, it also opens up a discussion about the appropriate ways to protest and the line between activism and vandalism.

Sources

ABC: Activists splatter 'Mona Lisa' with soup in Louvre Museum in Paris

BBC: Watch: Soup thrown at Mona Lisa painting