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The Mona Lisa was vandalized on Sunday when a visitor to the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris smeared the protective glass of the Renaissance painting.
According to CNN affiliate BFTMV, the man, who appeared to be wearing a wig on videos of the incident shared on social media, had the cake.
A statement from the Louvre said he approached the painting in a wheelchair. In the videos that followed, he was shown walking with a wheelchair nearby.
“A visitor simulated a disability in order to use a wheelchair to approach the work, which was secured in a secure display box. The Louvre applied its usual procedures to people with reduced mobility, allowing them to admire this large work of art.” The statement indicated.
“While standing near the painting, this person threw a pastry which he was hiding in his personal belongings into the Mona Lisa glass case. This act had no effect on the painting, which was not damaged in any way.”
A visitor to the Louvre smeared cake on the glass protecting the Mona Lisa.
attributed to him: @klevisl007 via Twitter/Reuters
The Paris public prosecutor’s office said the 36-year-old was arrested and taken to a psychiatric clinic at police headquarters. An investigation was opened by the Public Prosecutor into “attempted damage to cultural property”. The Louvre has filed a complaint.
Another video of the scene shows an employee cleaning ice from glass.
Arguably the world’s most famous painting, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece attracts millions of visitors each year who line up with the tiny artwork, just over 2.5 feet high and less than two feet wide.
The mysterious image is not alien to both vandalism and theft. It was stolen in 1911 by an employee of the Louvre, raising its international profile, and the bottom of the canvas was attacked with acid in the 1950s, enhancing protection – including bulletproof glass. In 2009, a woman angrily threw a ceramic cup at the plate, broke the mug but left the plate unharmed.
This article has been updated with a statement from the Louvre.
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