Protesters Hurl Soup at Mona Lisa in Louvre

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PARIS, Jan 28: The artwork created by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th Century stands as one of the world’s most renowned masterpieces, housed at the Louvre in Paris. Shielded by bulletproof glass to prevent damage, the painting recently faced an unusual incident captured on video.

In the footage, two female protesters, donning T-shirts with the phrase “food response,” can be seen hurling soup at the painting. Following this act, they position themselves in front of the artwork, advocating for the right to “healthy and sustainable food” and criticizing the perceived ailments of the agricultural system.

Museum security promptly reacts, placing black screens in front of the protesters before evacuating the room. The French capital has witnessed farmer protests in recent days, focusing on issues such as escalating fuel costs and the simplification of regulations, with demonstrations leading to road blockades in and out of Paris.

The Mona Lisa has been safeguarded behind protective glass since the early 1950s, a measure implemented after a visitor damaged it by pouring acid. In 2019, the museum upgraded to a more transparent form of bulletproof glass for enhanced protection. Notably, in 2022, an activist threw cake at the painting, emphasizing environmental concerns.

This incident echoes the painting’s tumultuous history; in 1911, it was infamously stolen from the Louvre, causing a global sensation. Vincenzo Peruggia, an employee of the museum, concealed himself in a cupboard overnight to abscond with the artwork. The painting was recovered two years later when Peruggia attempted to sell it to an antiques dealer in Florence, Italy.

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