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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Man disguised as an old woman vandalized the 'Mona Lisa' with cake

Man disguised as an old woman vandalized the 'Mona Lisa' with cake

Published May 30, 2022 02:29 pm

The vandal dressed as an old woman complete with a wheelchair

Visitors and staff at the Musée du Louvre in France were left stunned as one of its prized collections got vandalized over the weekend. At the center of the conversation was a man dressed as an old woman who threw a cake at the famous “Mona Lisa.”

Photos and videos of the caked artwork went viral on social media. According to witnesses, they were shocked when the disguised man stood up from his wheelchair and aimed the cake at the portrait. The museum’s security quickly ejected the culprit out of the room.

Fortunately, no damage has been done to the iconic painting as it is protected by bulletproof glass. This is not the first time people tried to vandalize the said masterpiece. In 1956, a person threw sulphuric acid on the painting leaving its lower part severely damaged.

“Since 2005, the Mona Lisa has been exhibited in a protective glass case, in solitary splendor in the center of the room (Paintings Department, Denon wing, room 6),” the Musée du Louvre wrote on its website. “This special treatment stems partly from the need to ensure the safety of such a famous work, but is also due to conservation requirements: the work was not painted on canvas, but on a panel of poplar wood which has warped over the years, causing a crack to appear. To prevent further damage, the Mona Lisa has to be kept in a temperature and humidity-controlled glass case.”

Created by Italian artist Leonardo Da Vinci between 1503 and 1519, the “Mona Lisa” is one of the most recognizable paintings in the world. It presents Lisa Gherardini, wife of the Florentine silk merchant Francesco del Giocondo. What makes it special is the artist’s sfumato technique, a smoky effect achieved through contours and contrasts.

See the “Mona Lisa” up close here.

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