French Farmers Protest: Climate Activists Throw Soup At Mona Lisa Painting In Paris; Here's All You Need To Know About The Protest

On January 28, 2024, climate protestors attacked the world-famous Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Protesters threw soup at the picture that was being protected by glass. Leonardo da Vinci's picture from the sixteenth century is among the most popular artworks in history. 

climate activists throw soup at mona lisa painting

In a recent incident that sent shockwaves through the art and environmental worlds, two climate activists threw soup at the glass protecting the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris on January 28, 2024. This audacious act, while causing no damage to the iconic painting, sparked a heated debate about the methods of protest and the intertwined issues of climate change and agriculture.

Protesters Threw Soup At Mona Lisa Painting In Paris

Two protestors protesting climate change threw soup at the protective glass of Mona Lisa's painting. Before throwing soup on the painting's glass, they got as close to it as they could while dodging the security. Soup did not harm the painting as it was protected by bulletproof glass.

According to Reuters, the climate activists were heard shouting, "What is more important? Art or the right to have a healthy and sustainable food system?"

The food activists represented the French organisation ‘Riposte Alimentaire’ (Food Response). The group of climate activists later released a statement stating that the purpose of the protest was to draw attention to the need to preserve the environment and food sources.

The Mona Lisa attack was part of a series of the current ongoing protests by French farmers calling for government action to address unfair rules on imports, rising input costs, and low wages. These brought to light the difficulties encountered by rural populations due to financial limitations and climate change.

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The French Farmers Protest

The latest in an ongoing series of such attacks against artworks calling for more action to safeguard the environment took place during nationwide protests by French farmers.

Riposte Alimentaire is part of the A22 umbrella movement of protest groups in 12 countries. According to The Washington Post, it mentioned that "Riposte Alimentaire is a part of the A22 movement, a collection of protester groups like Just Stop Oil, which made headlines in 2022 after pouring soup on Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” painting at London’s National Gallery museum, which led to arrests and minor damage to the painting’s frame."

The soup-throwing event marked "the start of a campaign of civil resistance with the clear demand
.of the social security of sustainable food," according to a statement provided to AFP.

The French Farmers Protest

Image credit: Reuters

For several days, French farmers have been protesting in favour of taxes, and regulations. The French farmers have been insistent on repealing the farm laws. Farmers say that many are unable to pay the high prices of electricity, fertiliser, and transportation because of a push by the government and retailers to reduce food inflation.

Months before the elections to the European Parliament, which are viewed as a key indicator for Emmanuel Macron's leadership, the government has been trying to prevent dissatisfaction among agricultural workers and farmers from increasing. (Going To Europe? Do Not Miss These Single-Country Train Routes)

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About Mona Lisa Painting

Mona Lisa

Image credit: Wikipedia

Mona Lisa is a 16th-century portrait by Leonardo da Vinci. Art experts claim that the Mona Lisa is the most popular, most visited, and all-around most famous piece of art in the entire world.

Ever since an acid spill by a tourist in 1956 damaged the Mona Lisa, it has been kept behind safety glass. In the previous three years, this is the second attack on the widely recognised artwork (Famous Paintings Made By Legendary Indian Artists). To spread awareness of climate change, several activists have targeted popular artwork.

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