He couldn’t succeed in his attempt thanks to the bulletproof glass that protects Leonardo da Vinci’s work in the Louvre Museum. He tried smashing the glass and then smeared it with cake while throwing roses around.

The man was escorted by the Louvre’s security before he could cause any damage to the painting. The videos circulating on the internet captured him shouting – “Think about the Earth, think about the Earth, there are people who are destroying the Earth, think about it. All the artists tell you to think about the Earth, all artists think about the Earth, that’s why I did this, Think about the Planet.”

Vandalism attempts against the Mona Lisa are not new. Throughout history, attempts to deface, steal, or use the painting to raise awareness for various causes have been made. 

In 1956, the lower part of the masterpiece was severely damaged when a man threw sulfuric acid at it. It was after this incident that the bulletproof glass protection was installed. 

In December 1956, Ugo Ungaza Villegas, a Bolivian, hurled a rock at the infamous painting, chipping a spec of paint.

It was even stolen in 1911, and went missing for nearly three years.

Also Read | 15 Interesting Facts About Leonardo Da Vinci’s Famous Artwork: The Mona Lisa