Protesters advocating for “healthy and sustainable food” targeted the iconic Mona Lisa at the Louvre in France, hurling soup at the protected painting. The 16th Century masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci remained unharmed behind its glass enclosure. In a video, two female demonstrators, donning “food counterattack” T-shirts, questioned the priority between art and the right to nutritious food. They criticized the agricultural system, alleging its illness and the hardships faced by farmers. The group responsible, Riposte Alimentaire (Food Counterattack), argued for integrating food into the social security system, emphasizing the need to address the current food model’s flaws. The protesters demanded a monthly €150 (£128) food card for citizens.

The Louvre confirmed that the environmental activists from Riposte Alimentaire sprayed pumpkin soup on the painting around 10:00 local time, causing a temporary evacuation of the Salle des Etats, where the artwork is showcased. The museum, while stating that there was no damage, expressed its intention to file a complaint. Rachida Dati, France’s Minister for Culture, condemned the act, emphasizing that no cause justified targeting the Mona Lisa, considering it part of the nation’s heritage.

“What’s the most important thing?” the women shouted in French after throwing soup at the painting. “Art, or the right to healthy and sustainable food?”

“Our farming system is sick,” they said. “Our farmers are dying at work.”

The group’s statement, posted on X (formerly Twitter), outlined their vision for a food system that respects fundamental rights and called for societal integration of food security. This incident follows a 2022 episode where an activist threw cake at the painting to draw attention to environmental concerns. The Mona Lisa has been shielded by safety glass since the 1950s, following an acid attack. In 2019, the museum upgraded to a more transparent form of bulletproof glass. The incident unfolded amid ongoing protests by farmers in Paris, demanding relief from rising fuel costs and simplified regulations. The Mona Lisa, famously stolen in 1911, remains a symbol of cultural heritage and international intrigue.