After Mona Lisa, Climate Protesters Throw Soup at Monet Painting
Climate activists recently targeted a Monet painting at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in a southeast France museum, following a similar incident involving the Mona Lisa.
The protest, which saw Claude Monet's "Le Printemps" hit with soup at 3:30 pm on Saturday, was executed by members of Riposte Alimentaire, a group advocating for sustainable food systems. Although the 1872 artwork was behind protective glass, it requires expert examination and restoration.
Following the vandalism, the museum is pressing charges and has already seen the arrest of two individuals. Riposte Alimentaire, which also claimed responsibility for the Mona Lisa episode, is pressing for immediate environmental action, emphasizing the urgency before it's "too late".
The group, which faces criticism for their methods, argues that there won't be a future for art on a "burning planet".
Lyon's eco-conscious mayor acknowledged the protesters' climate anxieties and advocated for decisive environmental measures.
Previous Monet pieces have faced similar attacks by eco-activists across Europe, including Germany's Last Generation group and protests in Stockholm, all involving artworks shielded by glass.