Recent art vandalism incident, Mona Lisa’s soup shower, sparked discussions on activism’s impact on cultural heritage.

Lately, news headlines have been buzzing with reports of art vandalism, leaving masterpieces marred and institutions grappling with the aftermath. Today, let’s take a closer look at five surprising events that shook up the art scene.

1/5 Mona Lisa’s Pumpkin Soup Shower (2024)

The Mona Lisa, the most iconic masterpiece, found itself at the centre of a bizarre incident. On Jan 28th 2024, two activists from the environmental group Riposte Alimentaire, also known as “Food Response,” threw orange-coloured soup at the armoured glass protecting the painting. The demonstrators questioned, “What is more important: art or the right to a healthy and sustainable diet?” The Louvre swiftly evacuated the room housing the Mona Lisa, but not before security intervened. The museum lodged a complaint against the activists, who aimed to draw attention to unsustainable food production and hunger in France.

Two environmental activists from the collective Riposte Alimentaire in front of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa after throwing soup at the artwork at the Louvre, Paris, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of David Cantiniaux / AFPTV / AFP via Getty Images

The attempt to disrupt da Vinci’s painting raises questions about the appropriate means of expressing environmental concerns. Although the artwork survived the attack, the incident underscores the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage and highlights the fine line between advocacy and vandalism, pushing us to consider more constructive ways of engaging with pressing issues without jeopardising our shared artistic legacy.

2/5 Monet’s Glue-and-Red-Paint Prank (2023)

On June 14th 2023, in Stockholm, environmental activists targeted Claude Monet’s painting, “Le jardin de l’artiste à Giverny,” with red paint and glue. The painting emerged unscathed, and the activists were arrested. The National museum expressed their commitment to reinstalling the artwork, emphasising the unacceptable nature of attacks on cultural heritage. This incident was part of a series of art stunts by climate activists, using various substances to make their point.

3/5 Vincent Van Gogh’s Tomato Soup Splash (2022)

In a surprising turn of events at London’s National Gallery, Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” faced an unexpected shower of tomato soup on Oct 14th 2022. The painting itself remained unharmed, but the frame suffered minor damage. Activists, sporting Just Stop Oil shirts, glued their hands to the wall, questioning society’s priorities between art and life. The incident sparked astonishment among patrons, leading to arrests and police intervention. The National Gallery condemned the act, while reinforcing the importance of protecting both art and the planet.

Activists of “Just Stop Oil” glued their hands to the wall. Photo: Courtesy of Reuters

The juxtaposition of Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” with tomato soup draws attention to the clash between societal priorities, particularly in the context of environmental activism. The incident challenges us to reflect on the effectiveness of such acts in conveying a message and whether there are more impactful ways to address the crucial issues raised by the activists. It prompts us to explore the complex relationship between art, activism, and the broader societal discourse.

4/5 Mark Rothko’s Yellowism Episode (2012)

Mark Rothko’s abstract masterpiece, “Black On Maroon,” faced an unusual fate at London’s Tate Gallery in 2012. Wlodzimierz Umaniec, a self-proclaimed Yellowism advocate, defaced the painting with a black marker. He left behind the message, “A POTENTIAL PIECE OF YELLOWISM,” and a pseudonymous signature. Umaniec spent a year behind bars for his artistic intervention, later expressing regret in an editorial. It’s a stark reminder that not all interventions in the art world are appreciated.

Photo: Courtesy of Twitter

5/5 Rembrandt’s Night Watch – A Target Three Times Over (1911, 1975, 1990)

Rembrandt’s masterpiece, “The Night Watch,” faced not one, not two, but three instances of vandalism in the 20th century. The most significant damage occurred in 1975 when an unemployed schoolteacher slashed the painting with a knife. The scars remain visible, prompting restoration efforts that continue even today. In 1911 and 1990, attempts were made to harm the painting, but it stood resilient against a knife and an unknown chemical. This historic artwork has faced its fair share of challenges, yet it endures.