Man in wig throws cake at glass protecting Mona Lisa

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.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said Monday that the 36-year-old man was detained following Sunday’s incident and sent to a police psychiatric unit. An investigation has been opened into the damage of cultural artifacts.

Videos posted on social media showed 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 to slack-jawed guests.

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 man 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 cake from the glass. A Louvre statement confirmed the attack on the artwork involving a “patisserie.”

The 16th-century Renaissance masterpiece has seen a lot in its over-500 years in existence.

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.

News

Local Olympian gold-medalists to be honored with parade

News

Growing frustration with smartphones could lead to statewide ban in Georgia schools

Breaking News

Severe weather forecast for
late Saturday, early Sunday

News

Summer Camp Connections
will preview summer activities

News

GBI seeks expansion of subpoena powers

News

Hughes and Spence win gold at Special Olympics Winter Games

News

Johnson presents program
at Retired Educators meeting

News

School launches fourth leadership development program cohort

News

Legislature considers alternative path for corpses

News

Moultrie and Doerun residents express concerns over
utility bills at meeting

News

Chamber of Commerce holds 115th annual banquet

News

Marshall elected gifted organization president

News

Ga. Peanut Commission celebrates National Peanut Month

News

Ten arrests made on outstanding warrants

News

Marijuana inspires debate in Georgia Senate, with three bills passing before the deadline

News

State Senate beats deadline to send school safety measures to House

News

Martin receives Southeast Mentor of the Year award
from education council

News

CCHS Health Science Pathway earns Industry Certification

News

UGA student visits Moultrie
to collaborate on park design

News

PCOM student physician receives scholarship

Columns

EDDIE SEAGLE: More on portable plants in the landscape

Columns

HARRY MARTINEZ: God’s art work 

News

Southern Regional Technical College names Amy Carter Davis vice president for economic development

News

Local Boys and Girls Club celebrates Black History Month