Written by Jacqui Palumbo, CNN
The Mona Lisa was the subject of a vandalism attempt on Sunday when a visitor to the famous Louvre Museum in Paris smeared frost on all the protective glass of Renaissance-era painting.
The man, who appeared to be wearing a wig in videos of the incident shared on social media, had the cake with him, according to CNN affiliate BFTMV.
He approached the painting in a wheelchair, according to a statement from the Louvre. The sequel videos show him walking around with a wheelchair nearby.
“A visitor simulated a disability in order to use a wheelchair to approach the work, which was installed in a safe display case. The Louvre applied its usual procedures for people with reduced mobility , which allowed them to admire this great work of art, “he said.
“When he was near the painting, this individual threw a pastry that he had hidden in his personal belongings in the window of the Mona Lisa. This act had no effect on the painting, which was not damaged in any way. “.
A visitor to the Louvre smeared a glass cake protecting the Mona Lisa. Credit: @ klevisl007 via Twitter / Reuters
The 36-year-old man was arrested and taken to a psychiatric infirmary at the police headquarters, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor has opened an investigation into “attempted damage to a cultural property.” The Louvre has filed a complaint.
In a video posted by a museum visitor on Twitter, the man is heard saying in French, “Think of planet Earth, there are people destroying it,” while security escorts the man, with petals of scattered on the floor of the museum.
Another video of the scene shows a staff member cleaning the glass cover.
Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, possibly the most famous painting in the world, attracts millions of visitors each year who line up to pose with the small work of art, which is just over 2.5 feet tall and less than 2 feet wide.
The enigmatic portrait is no stranger to vandalism or theft. It was stolen in 1911 by an employee of the Louvre, increasing its international prominence, and the bottom of the fabric suffered an acid attack in the 1950s, which led to its enhanced protection, including bulletproof glass. In 2009, a woman angrily threw a ceramic cup at the paint, smashing the cup but leaving the painting unharmed.
This article has been updated with a statement from the Louvre.