Mona Lisa gets caked in climate activist stunt
The Mona Lisa has been targeted by vandals, when a visitor at the Louvre museum in Paris smeared frosting all over the Renaissance-era painting’s protective glass.
The man posed as an elderly visitor in a wheelchair and a wig as he approached the painting, before throwing a piece of cake at the famous artwork, according to a statement from the Louvre.
The vandal then walked away from the scene before being approached by security.
“A visitor simulated a disability in order to use a wheelchair to approach the work, which was installed in a secure display case,” the statement noted.
“The Louvre applied its usual procedures for people with reduced mobility, allowing them to admire this major work of art."
“While standing near the painting, this individual threw a pastry he had hidden in his personal belongings at the Mona Lisa’s glass case."
“This act had no effect on the painting, which was not damaged in any way.”
A spokesperson clarified that visitors in wheelchairs are allowed to move in front of other museum-goers to better see the artworks.
The 36-year-old man was arrested and taken to a psychiatric infirmary in the police headquarters, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
An investigation has been opened by the prosecutor for “the attempt of damaging a cultural property”.
In a video shared by a museum-goer to Twitter, the man is heard yelling in French, “Think of planet Earth, there are people destroying it” while security escorts the man, with rose petals scattered on the floor of the museum.
Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, arguably the most famous painting in the world, draws millions of visitors each year to see her enigmatic smile.
Image credits: Twitter @klevisl007