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Mona Lisa: Protesters throw soup at da Vinci painting

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Environmental protesters targeted the iconic Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris, throwing soup at the protected artwork to emphasize their call for the right to “healthy and sustainable food.” The 16th Century masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci, housed behind protective glass, remained undamaged despite the unconventional protest.

Video footage captured two female protesters, affiliated with a group called Riposte Alimentaire (Food Counterattack), tossing liquid at the painting and raising questions about the perceived prioritization of art over the fundamental right to nutritious food. The protesters, clad in T-shirts reading “food counterattack,” stood in front of the artwork, asserting concerns about the agricultural system and the challenges faced by farmers.

The Louvre promptly assured the public that the painting was unharmed, thanks to the security measures in place. The Salle des Etats, where the Mona Lisa is displayed, was evacuated, and the room reopened to visitors after cleaning at 11:30 local time. The museum announced its intention to file a complaint regarding the incident.

The group Riposte Alimentaire released a statement, posted on social media platform X, explaining that the protest was part of their broader efforts to integrate “food into the general social security system.” They argued that the current food model stigmatizes the most vulnerable and fails to respect the fundamental right to food. The group proposed the issuance of a monthly food card worth €150 (£128) for citizens to use on food.

France’s Minister for Culture, Rachida Dati, condemned the act, stating that “no cause” could justify targeting the Mona Lisa, emphasizing the painting’s status as part of the heritage for future generations. The incident occurred amid ongoing farmer protests in Paris, where demonstrators sought relief from rising fuel costs and simplified regulations, blocking key roads in and out of the city.

The Mona Lisa, housed in the Louvre since the early 1950s, has been shielded behind safety glass. In 2019, the museum installed a more transparent form of bulletproof glass to enhance its protection. This incident echoes a 2022 event when an activist threw cake at the painting, urging people to “think of the Earth.” The Mona Lisa’s history includes a notorious theft in 1911, with recovery two years later after the perpetrator attempted to sell it in Italy.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

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French arrests after bomb scares trigger evacuations at airports and Versailles

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A recent spate of bomb threats in France has led to the arrest of 18 individuals, predominantly minors, involved in the disruptive activities. The threats have targeted significant landmarks such as the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre, along with schools, airports, and hospitals.

These incidents follow the recent stabbing of a teacher in Arras. Despite the heightened tension, the authorities maintain that there is no immediate specific threat. The bomb scares have been communicated through phone calls, emails, and a dedicated website.

Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti has warned the culprits of the consequences they will face, as authorities employ various means, including IP addresses and phone numbers, to track them down. Perpetrating a fake bomb threat in France constitutes a punishable offense with potential imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of €45,000 (£39,000).

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright

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Man disguised as old woman smears cake on Mona Lisa portrait at Louvre

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A man dressed as an elderly woman in a wheelchair threw a cake at the iconic Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci, which is on display at the Louvre in Paris. The painting, however, was unaffected due to the protective glass that encased it.

Witness testimony revealed that the perpetrator was a man in a wheelchair wearing a large wig, according to the Spanish newspaper Marca. To everyone’s surprise, he suddenly stood up and attempted to smash the Mona Lisa’s bulletproof glass before smearing cake on the glass.

Even as the crowd continued to photograph the situation, the museum’s security staff rushed to eject the man from the room shortly after the incident.

As seen in the viral videos, museum employees were seen removing the assailant and cleaning the tarnished glass.

The Mona Lisa, an Italian Renaissance half-length portrait painting by Leonardo da Vinci, is regarded as the archetypal masterpiece. It is housed in the Louvre’s largest room, the Salle des États, which also houses other notable Venetian paintings such as Veronese’s The Wedding Feast at Cana. It is described as “the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world.”

Several attempts to steal or destroy the painting have been made over the years. An employee stole it from the museum in 1911, and Bolivian Ugo Ungaza Villegas threw a rock at it while it was on display in 1956. In the years that followed, several more incidents occurred. The subject’s mysterious identity, her enigmatic expression, and the painter’s unmatched art techniques draw thousands of visitors each year.

Picture Courtesy: Google/Images are subject to copyright