These words resounded in Paris'
While the world-famous painting was fortunately unharmed thanks to its protective glass, the incident sent shockwaves through the art world and beyond. Videos of the protest showed two women approaching the painting before throwing what appears to be tomato soup. They then posed in front of the Mona Lisa, shouting the aforementioned slogan, and calling the agricultural system "sick", bringing note to the recent farmer deaths in France.
The group behind the action,
The Louvre condemned the act and announced its intention to file a complaint. French Minister of Culture,
This incident is not the first time the Mona Lisa has been targeted by activists. In 2019, a protester threw a cake at the painting, urging people to "think of the Earth." In 2022, another activist smeared the glass with fake blood, highlighting the issue of
Despite the condemnation, the protest has reignited the ongoing debate about the role of art in society and the methods used to express dissent. While some argue that such actions damage cultural treasures and disrespect artistic heritage, others defend them as necessary attention-grabbing tactics to highlight pressing social issues. However, there is no doubt that the incident succeeded in renewing focus on the challenges faced by farmers, such as rising fuel costs and complex regulations.