The Mona Lisa gets an unprecedented paint-job in an act of toothless activism: Howard Chua-Eoan

In a shocking act of protest, two women splashed orange liquid on the iconic Mona Lisa at the Louvre, questioning the prioritisation of art over the right to sustainable food. The painting, shielded by bulletproof glass since 2005, remains unharmed. The assault raises questions about the commodification of art, with the Mona Lisa reduced to reproductions on various items. Beyond its fame, the true marvel lies in Leonardo's meticulous craftsmanship, from the engineered smile to the artistic representation of human anatomy. The incident prompts reflection on the delicate balance between art and societal causes, urging a cautious approach to activism.

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By Howard Chua-Eoan

"Mais non!" gasped at least one visitor recorded on video Sunday morning as two women splashed orange liquid — or soup, as several news accounts had it — at Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Immediately, the splatterers slipped under the semicircular barrier the Louvre has in place to keep onlookers at a distance from the 16th century masterpiece. Removing their overcoats, the women revealed T-shirts reading "Riposte Alimentaire" (Food Response, an organization that's part of a broader alliance of environmental activists). One shouted: "What's more important? Art or the right to healthy and sustainable food?" They were both arrested.

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