Two environmental activists threw soup at the bulletproof glass safeguarding the Mona Lisa in Paris’ Louvre Museum on Sunday morning.
The activists were citing their desire to promote "the right to healthy and sustainable food," according to an AFP journalist present at the scene.
The 'Riposte Alimentaire' collective has claimed the act, stating they are running a "French civilian resistance campaign". They advocate for a "radical societal change addressing both climate and social issues."
The soup attack on the Mona Lisa is described as "the beginning of a civilian resistance campaign demanding societal security of sustainable food for everyone."
Renowned as the world’s most famous painting, the Mona Lisa has been housed behind protective glass since 2005. It has, however, been the victim of several acts of vandalism over the years.
Most notably, a cream pie was hurled at the painting in May 2022, by a man dressed as an old woman.
The activist had dressed up in a wig and lipstick and had reportedly arrived in a wheelchair. After the attack, the disguised man threw roses everywhere before being tackled by security, according to one Twitter user.