<p>In a shocking development, two activists splashed soup on the bullet-proof glass safeguarding Leonardo da Vinci's iconic painting "Mona Lisa" in Paris on Sunday (Jan 28).</p>

<p>The protesters did so demanding the right to "healthy and sustainable food", reported news agency AFP.</p>

<p>The two women, on Sunday morning, hurled the orange and red soup onto the clear casing protecting the famous artwork displayed at the Louvre Museum in France's capital city causing a commotion.</p>

<p>The unprecedented act resulted in gasps from the crowd, who were undoubtedly shocked and surprised by the sudden turn of events.</p>

<p>"What is more important? Art or the right to healthy and sustainable food," the activists asked, standing in front of the painting and speaking in turn.</p>

<p>"Your agricultural system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work," they said before security staff evacuated the room.</p>

<p>A police source, as per AFP reports, said that both the activists have been detained.</p>

<p>The Louvre Museum released a statement saying that the protesters had hidden the pumpkin soup in a coffee thermos.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/danger-looms-on-rishi-sunak-as-crafty-tories-plot-to-throw-him-out-of-downing-street-report-684595">Danger looms on Rishi Sunak as crafty Tories plot to throw him out of Downing Street: Report</a></p>

<p>It further added that the iconic artwork remained unharmed and that the room housing the masterpiece had re-opened to the public after being closed for nearly an hour.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="fr">Par leur action non violente, Sasha (24ans) et Marie-Juliette (63ans) exigent la mise en place d'une Sécurité Sociale de l'Alimentation Durable. [2]<br />
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👉<a href="https://t.co/FLzMmVW4tW">https://t.co/FLzMmVW4tW</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SocialeAlim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SocialeAlim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SSAD?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SSAD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Alimentation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Alimentation</a> <a href="https://t.co/i4YS6VrrRX">pic.twitter.com/i4YS6VrrRX</a></p>
— Riposte Alimentaire (@riposte_alim) <a href="https://twitter.com/riposte_alim/status/1751554609720471872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Riposte Alimentaire claims responsibility&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The responsibility for the unexpected act was taken by a group named Riposte Alimentaire ("Food counterattack").</p>

<p>They said that the stunt marked the "start of a campaign of civil resistance with the clear demand... of the social security of sustainable food".</p>

<p>Member of the group, Till Van Elst claimed that they wanted the state to provide people food items at reduced rates through a specialised social security card.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Under the scheme, democratic assemblies would choose the food to be subsidised.</p>

<p>"We want citizens to really be able to... decide what is in their plates," he told AFP.</p>

<h2><strong>Culture Minister Rachida Dati denounces act</strong></h2>

<p>Dati, denouncing the act, stated, "The Mona Lisa, as our heritage, belongs to future generations. No cause can justify targeting it," she wrote on X.</p>

<p>This also comes amid the ongoing farmer protests in France who have been staging demonstrations demanding better pay, taxes and regulations.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on Sunday announced new measures after some farmers threatened to block roads in the capital city on Monday.</p>

<p>It is the latest attack on the masterpiece in the French capital's Louvre museum after someone threw a custard pie at it in May 2022, but its thick glass casing ensured it came to no harm.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a shocking development, two activists splashed soup on the bullet-proof glass safeguarding Leonardo da Vinci's iconic painting "Mona Lisa" in Paris on Sunday (Jan 28).

In a shocking development, two activists splashed soup on the bullet-proof glass safeguarding Leonardo da Vinci's iconic painting "Mona Lisa" in Paris on Sunday (Jan 28). The protesters did so demanding the right to "healthy and sustainable food", reported news agency AFP. The two women, on Sunday morning, hurled the orange and red soup onto the clear casing protecting the famous artwork displayed at the Louvre Museum in France's capital city causing a commotion. The unprecedented act resulted in gasps from the crowd, who were undoubtedly shocked and surprised by the sudden turn of events. "What is more important? Art or the right to healthy and sustainable food," the activists asked, standing in front of the painting and speaking in turn. "Your agricultural system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work," they said before security staff evacuated the room. A police source, as per AFP reports, said that both the activists have been detained. The Louvre Museum released a statement saying that the protesters had hidden the pumpkin soup in a coffee thermos. Also read: Danger looms on Rishi Sunak as crafty Tories plot to throw him out of Downing Street: Report It further added that the iconic artwork remained unharmed and that the room housing the masterpiece had re-opened to the public after being closed for nearly an hour. Par leur action non violente, Sasha (24ans) et Marie-Juliette (63ans) exigent la mise en place d'une Sécurité Sociale de l'Alimentation Durable. [2] 👉https://t.co/FLzMmVW4tW@SocialeAlim #SSAD #Alimentation pic.twitter.com/i4YS6VrrRX — Riposte Alimentaire (@riposte_alim) January 28, 2024 × Riposte Alimentaire claims responsibility The responsibility for the unexpected act was taken by a group named Riposte Alimentaire ("Food counterattack"). They said that the stunt marked the "start of a campaign of civil resistance with the clear demand... of the social security of sustainable food". Member of the group, Till Van Elst claimed that they wanted the state to provide people food items at reduced rates through a specialised social security card. Under the scheme, democratic assemblies would choose the food to be subsidised. "We want citizens to really be able to... decide what is in their plates," he told AFP. Culture Minister Rachida Dati denounces act Dati, denouncing the act, stated, "The Mona Lisa, as our heritage, belongs to future generations. No cause can justify targeting it," she wrote on X. This also comes amid the ongoing farmer protests in France who have been staging demonstrations demanding better pay, taxes and regulations. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on Sunday announced new measures after some farmers threatened to block roads in the capital city on Monday. It is the latest attack on the masterpiece in the French capital's Louvre museum after someone threw a custard pie at it in May 2022, but its thick glass casing ensured it came to no harm. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Protesters splash soup at iconic Mona Lisa painting at Louvre Museum in Paris

<p>Italian historian Silvano Vinceti has claimed that the bridge in the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting Mona Lisa belongs to a small town in Tuscany, reported The Guardian. The bridge is called the Romito di Laterina, and is located in the province of Arezzo. Earlier, theories had claimed the bridge visible in the landscape behind the subject of the painting is Ponte Buriano, near Laterina, and Ponte Bobbio, in Piacenza. Vinceti cited historical documents and drone images to determine the location of the bridge. He noted that the clincher for him was the number of arches. The bridge in the celebrated oil painting has four arches, matching the number of arches in Romito di Laterina (though the bridge now has only one arch, which stretches over Arno river, and the rest were destroyed).&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="mona lisa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="143f4615-6ca9-4b5c-8793-7cf59149bcb3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/mona-lisa%20%281%29.png" /></p>

<p>Ponte Buriano has six arches, and Ponte Bobbio has more than six.</p>

<p>Vinceti added that documents belonging to Medici family showed that the bridge was busy and functioning between 1501 to 1503. &nbsp;At that time, Leonardo was in the Val d'Arno area, first serving Cesare Borgia and then Piero Soderini. The bridge provided a shortcut that reduced the journey between Arezzo, Fiesole, and Florence by several hours.</p>

<h2><strong>What is the Mona Lisa painting?</strong></h2>

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<p>If he is right, at least one mystery about the painting will be cleared for good. Also known as La Gioconda, the painting is a portrait painting by da Vinci, an Italian Renaissance artist. It is considered a masterpiece of the High Renaissance art, and depicts a seated woman, believed to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy Florentine merchant. She is seated with a serene and enigmatic expression, variously interpreted as a smile and neutral expression. Her gaze appears to follow the viewer, giving the painting a sense of mystery and intrigue.</p>

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Italian historian Silvano Vinceti has claimed that the bridge in the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting Mona Lisa belongs to a small town in Tuscany, reported The Guardian.

Italian historian Silvano Vinceti has claimed that the bridge in the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting Mona Lisa belongs to a small town in Tuscany, reported The Guardian. The bridge is called the Romito di Laterina, and is located in the province of Arezzo. Earlier, theories had claimed the bridge visible in the landscape behind the subject of the painting is Ponte Buriano, near Laterina, and Ponte Bobbio, in Piacenza. Vinceti cited historical documents and drone images to determine the location of the bridge. He noted that the clincher for him was the number of arches. The bridge in the celebrated oil painting has four arches, matching the number of arches in Romito di Laterina (though the bridge now has only one arch, which stretches over Arno river, and the rest were destroyed). Ponte Buriano has six arches, and Ponte Bobbio has more than six. Vinceti added that documents belonging to Medici family showed that the bridge was busy and functioning between 1501 to 1503. At that time, Leonardo was in the Val d'Arno area, first serving Cesare Borgia and then Piero Soderini. The bridge provided a shortcut that reduced the journey between Arezzo, Fiesole, and Florence by several hours. What is the Mona Lisa painting? If he is right, at least one mystery about the painting will be cleared for good. Also known as La Gioconda, the painting is a portrait painting by da Vinci, an Italian Renaissance artist. It is considered a masterpiece of the High Renaissance art, and depicts a seated woman, believed to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy Florentine merchant. She is seated with a serene and enigmatic expression, variously interpreted as a smile and neutral expression. Her gaze appears to follow the viewer, giving the painting a sense of mystery and intrigue. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Italian historian claims to have found location of bridge in Mona Lisa painting

In pics: From ‘Lisa Mausi’ to ‘Lisa Ben’, Mona Lisa gets Indian makeover on Twitter

<p>Art lovers visiting the famous Lourve Museum in Paris were in for a shock on Sunday as a man, dressed as an old woman, jumped out of a wheelchair and smeared cake on Leonardo Da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa painting.&nbsp;The video of the act has now been widely circulated on social media.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A man, disguised as a wheelchair-bound old lady, jumped out and tried to break the bulletproof glass barrier around the painting. When he was unable to break the glass, he promptly smeared cake on it in order to cover the painting. He was by then tackled by the Museum security. &nbsp;He also sprinkled roses before he was knocked to the ground by security.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Maybe this is just nuts to me💀but an man dressed as an old lady jumps out of a wheel chair and attempted to smash the bullet proof glass of the Mona Lisa. Then proceeds to smear cake on the glass, and throws roses everywhere all before being tackled by security. 😂??? <a href="https://t.co/OFXdx9eWcM">pic.twitter.com/OFXdx9eWcM</a></p>
— Lukeee🧃 (@lukeXC2002) <a href="https://twitter.com/lukeXC2002/status/1530939993803440129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Can anybody translate what ole dude was saying as they where escorting him out?😂 <a href="https://t.co/Uy2taZ4ZMm">pic.twitter.com/Uy2taZ4ZMm</a></p>
— Lukeee🧃 (@lukeXC2002) <a href="https://twitter.com/lukeXC2002/status/1530940469492035584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>As the man was taken out by the security, he addressed visitors in French which was captured on video as well. A Spanish media outlet, Pledge Times, later reported that the man shouted in French, "some people are trying to destroy the earth, think of the earth!"</p>

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<p><br />
Eyewitnesses&nbsp;said the man was disguised as an old lady, wore a wig and rode through the museum in a wheelchair. It is not clear still what the man's motive was behind such an act and how he had managed to sneak the cake inside the museum.<br />
<br />
Eyewitnesses said that the man disguised himself as an old lady and rode through the museum in a wheelchair before committing the attack. It is still not clear what the man's motive was behind and how he smuggled the cake into the museum.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Art lovers visiting the famous Lourve Museum in Paris were in for a shock on Sunday as a man, dressed as an old woman, jumped out of a wheelchair and smeared cake on Leonardo Da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa painting.

Art lovers visiting the famous Lourve Museum in Paris were in for a shock on Sunday as a man, dressed as an old woman, jumped out of a wheelchair and smeared cake on Leonardo Da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa painting. The video of the act has now been widely circulated on social media. A man, disguised as a wheelchair-bound old lady, jumped out and tried to break the bulletproof glass barrier around the painting. When he was unable to break the glass, he promptly smeared cake on it in order to cover the painting. He was by then tackled by the Museum security. He also sprinkled roses before he was knocked to the ground by security. Maybe this is just nuts to me💀but an man dressed as an old lady jumps out of a wheel chair and attempted to smash the bullet proof glass of the Mona Lisa. Then proceeds to smear cake on the glass, and throws roses everywhere all before being tackled by security. 😂??? pic.twitter.com/OFXdx9eWcM — Lukeee🧃 (@lukeXC2002) May 29, 2022 × Can anybody translate what ole dude was saying as they where escorting him out?😂 pic.twitter.com/Uy2taZ4ZMm — Lukeee🧃 (@lukeXC2002) May 29, 2022 × As the man was taken out by the security, he addressed visitors in French which was captured on video as well. A Spanish media outlet, Pledge Times, later reported that the man shouted in French, "some people are trying to destroy the earth, think of the earth!" Eyewitnesses said the man was disguised as an old lady, wore a wig and rode through the museum in a wheelchair. It is not clear still what the man's motive was behind such an act and how he had managed to sneak the cake inside the museum. Eyewitnesses said that the man disguised himself as an old lady and rode through the museum in a wheelchair before committing the attack. It is still not clear what the man's motive was behind and how he smuggled the cake into the museum.

Watch: Man disguised as old lady smears cake on Mona Lisa painting

One of the most famous faces in the world peers out from a mosaic of Rubik's cubes in a Paris auction house where a version of the "Mona Lisa" will be up for bids later in the month.

Rubik's cube Mona Lisa to be auctioned in Paris