In a shocking act of protest, climate activists targeted a Monet painting with a soup attack at a museum in southeast France. This incident follows a similar stunt on the iconic Mona Lisa last month. The Musee des Beaux-Arts in France’s third largest city reported that the attack on Claude Monet’s “Le Printemps” (Spring) occurred on Saturday afternoon.
Fortunately, the 1872 masterpiece was protected by glass, but it will still undergo a thorough inspection and restoration. The museum plans to file a complaint for vandalism, and two activists have been apprehended. The group responsible for the attack, Riposte Alimentaire (“Food counterattack”), claimed responsibility on X. A 20-year-old activist named Ilona expressed the urgency behind their actions, stating, “we have to act now before it is too late.”
Riposte Alimentaire, which advocates for a sustainable supply of healthy food for all, also claimed responsibility for the soup attack on the Mona Lisa at the Louvre museum in January. Both paintings were behind glass, but that did not deter these determined activists. The two individuals involved in the Mona Lisa incident were sentenced by a Paris court to perform volunteer work for a charity association.
Describing themselves as a “French civil resistance movement aiming to spur radical societal change for the environment and society,” Riposte Alimentaire emphasizes their love for art. However, they believe that future artists will have nothing to paint on a burning planet.
While some may condemn these actions, Lyon’s mayor, a member of an ecological party, expressed understanding for the anguish felt in the face of climate emergencies. He stated, “We regret the action but will respond with determined actions.”
Interestingly, this is not the first time a Monet painting has been targeted by ecologist activists. In October 2022, protesters from the German branch of Last Generation flung mash at “Les Meules” (The Haystacks) in a museum in Potsdam, Germany. This painting, too, was protected by glass.
These incidents serve as a reminder of the growing concern for the environment and the urgent need for action. While the methods chosen by these activists may be controversial, they highlight the sense of urgency felt by many regarding the future of our planet.
