WORLD NEWS

Man in wig throws cake at glass protecting Mona Lisa

May 30, 2022, 6:01 AM | Updated: Jun 13, 2022, 10:59 am

FILE: Visitors observe the painting 'La Joconde' The Mona Lisa by Italian artist Leonardo Da Vinci ...

FILE: Visitors observe the painting 'La Joconde' The Mona Lisa by Italian artist Leonardo Da Vinci on display in a gallery at Louvre on May 19, 2021 in Paris, France. The country is taking steps to ease the lockdown measures that President Emmanuel Macron announced on April 29, allowing all the museums and non-essential shops and cultural venues to open and rolling back the curfew to 9pm. The cafe and restaurant terraces can also open to 50% capacity. France is reporting a seven-day average of around 14,000 new Covid-19 cases. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images)

(Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images)

PARIS (AP) — A man seemingly disguised as an old woman in a wheelchair threw a piece of cake at the glass protecting the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum and shouted at people to think of planet Earth.

Videos posted on social media appear to show a young man in a wig and lipstick who had arrived in a wheelchair. The man, whose identity was unknown, was also seen throwing roses in the museum gallery on Sunday.

The cake attack left a conspicuous white creamy smear on the glass but the famous work by Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t damaged.

Security guards were filmed escorting the wig-wearing activist away as he called out to the surprised visitors in the gallery: “Think of the Earth. There are people who are destroying the Earth. Think about it. Artists tell you: think of the Earth. That’s why I did this.”

Guards were then filmed cleaning the smeared cream from the glass. Officials at the Louvre weren’t immediately available for comment.

The 16th-century Renaissance masterpiece has been targeted before.

The painting was stolen in 1911 by a museum employee, an event which increased the painting’s international fame.

It was also damaged in an acid attack perpetrated by a vandal in the 1950s, and has since been kept behind glass.

In 2009, a Russian woman who was angry at not being able to get French citizenship threw a ceramic cup at it, smashing the cup but not harming the glass or the painting.

KSL 5 TV Live

World News

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump is reflected in the bullet proof glas...

Eric Tucker and Larry Neumeister, Associated Press

Justice Department brings criminal charges in Iranian murder-for-hire plan targeting Donald Trump

The Justice Department has unsealed criminal charges in a thwarted Iranian plot to kill President-elect Donald Trump before this week’s presidential election.

1 day ago

Elder Tinotenda Watson Maumbe was serving as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ ...

Carlysle Price

Missionary dies after sudden medical episode

A full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died Wednseday, after having a sudden medical episode.

2 days ago

Patrick O'Hara, center, and family members leave Newcastle Crown Court, in Newcastle, England, Wedn...

Associated Press

UK doctor gets 31 years for poisoning mother’s partner with fake COVID vaccine

A British doctor who was disgruntled about his inheritance and tried to kill his mother’s boyfriend by injecting him with a fake COVID-19 vaccine that was poison has been sentenced to 31 years in prison.

2 days ago

People at a bus stop shield themselves with cardboard amid wind and rain during the passage of Hurr...

Andrea Rodriguez, Associated Press

Cuba left reeling after Category 3 hurricane ravages island and knocks out power grid

Cuba has been left reeling after a fierce Category 3 hurricane ripped across western portions of the island, knocking out the country’s power grid, downing trees and damaging infrastructure.

2 days ago

The nine-foot tall cake was made by McVitie and Price Ltd. (J. A. Hampton/Hulton Royals Collection/...

Issy Ronald, CNN

‘Very rare’ 77-year-old piece of cake from Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip’s wedding sold

A “very rare” 77-year-old slice of the cake served at Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s wedding sold for £2,200 ($2,800) this week, according to auction house Reeman Dansie.

2 days ago

FILE — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gestures during a press conference in Logan Cit...

Rod MCguirk, Associated Press

Australia plans a social media ban for children under 16

The Australian government announced on Thursday what it described as world-leading legislation that would set an age limit of 16 years for children to start using social media, and hold platforms responsible for ensuring compliance.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

family having fun at home...

Lighting Design

Discover the impact of lighting on your mood

From color temperature to lighting saturation, we tackle how different lighting design setups can impact your day-to-day mood.

Laptops in a modern technology store. Department of computers in the electronics store. Choosing a ...

PC Laptops

How to choose the best laptop for college students

Finding the right laptop for college students can be hard, but with this guide we break down what to look for so you can find the best one.

young male technician is repairing a printer at office...

Les Olson

Unraveling the dilemma between leasing and buying office technology

Carefully weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your business growth and day-to-day operation. 

A kitchen in a modern farmhouse....

Lighting Design

A room-by-room lighting guide for your home

Bookmark this room-by-room lighting guide whenever you decide to upgrade your lighting or style a new home.

Photo courtesy of Artists of Ballet West...

Ballet West

The rising demand for ballet tickets: why they’re harder to get

Ballet West’s box office is experiencing demand they’ve never seen before, leaving many interested patrons unable to secure tickets they want.

Man in wig throws cake at glass protecting Mona Lisa