Climate protestors throw soup at the Mona Lisa, sparking debate on food and art in society

"What is more important? Art or the right to have a healthy and sustainable food system?"

These words resounded in Paris' Louvre museum on Sunday, as Mona Lisa's soup-smeared face gazed down on the two climate protestors who hurled the broth on Leonardo da Vinci's 16th century masterpiece. The stunt, aimed at raising awareness about the need for a "healthy and sustainable food" system, sparked heated debate on several fronts, from art preservation and social activism to the struggles of farmers.

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, Riposte Alimentaire (French for "Food Counterattack"), later claimed responsibility on social media. They explained that the protest was part of their efforts to advocate for integrating "food into the general social security system". They also criticised the current model as stigmatising our fundamental right to food. Riposte Alimentaire proposed a monthly food card worth €150 for citizens to address these concerns.

The Louvre condemned the act and announced its intention to file a complaint. French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, also weighed in, stating that "no cause" could justify targeting the Mona Lisa, emphasising its importance as a cultural heritage belonging to future generations.

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 climate change.

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.