WATCH: Climate activist arrested after sticking protest poster on famous Monet painting in Paris
The woman, from Riposte Alimentaire (Food Response) was seen placing a blood-red poster over Claude Monet’s ‘Poppy Field’ painting. (Photo: X/@riposte_alim) Photograph:( X )
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The sticker, which covered about half of the artwork, was said to be an apocalyptic, futuristic vision of the same scene.
The sticker, which covered about half of the artwork, was said to be an apocalyptic, futuristic vision of the same scene.
French police, on Saturday (Jun 1) arrested an environmental activist who staged a protest to draw attention to climate change by sticking an adhesive poster on a Monet painting on display at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.
Watch: Climate activist attacks painting
The woman, from Riposte Alimentaire (Food Response) – a group of environmental activists and defenders of sustainable food production – was seen placing a blood-red poster over Claude Monet’s ‘Poppy Field’ painting in a video posted on X.
Subsequently, she was seen putting glue on her hand and placing it on the wall behind her. In the video, as per AFP, she is heard saying “this nightmarish image awaits us if no alternative is put in place”.
🦺 ACTION EN COURS - PARIS
— Riposte Alimentaire (@riposte_alim) June 1, 2024
Samedi 1er Juin, 10h
Une citoyenne engagée avec la campagne Riposte Alimentaire a recouvert le tableau "Les Coquelicots” d'une version cauchemardesque du même tableau, représentant un champ de coquelicots en 2100. #A22Network #RiposteAlimentaire [1] pic.twitter.com/SpHbfuTI0r
According to the Associated Press, the sticker, which covered about half of the artwork, was said to be an apocalyptic, futuristic vision of the same scene.
The group, as per AP, said it’s supposed to show what the field would look like in 2100 after it has been “ravaged by flames and drought” if more action is not taken against climate change.
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The painting by Monet, which was completed in 1873 shows people with umbrellas strolling in a blooming poppy field. At the time of the attack, the painting was covered by glass and suffered no permanent damage, a Musee d’Orsay spokesperson told AFP.
“The exhibition is entirely accessible to the public again,” said the spokesperson. The museum in Paris is home to some of the world’s most-loved Impressionist work.
Climate activist arrested
Citing police sources, AFP said that the climate activist has since been arrested. The museum spokesperson said that a criminal complaint would be registered over the latest in a growing number of cultural attacks.
The group which called itself a “French civil resistance movement which aims to spur a radical societal change for the environment and society” has reportedly been involved in several similar actions over the past few months.
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In January, two protesters from the group hurled soup at the ‘Mona Lisa’ painting in the Louvre museum. The iconic painting by Leonardo da Vinci was also covered with bulletproof glass and did not sustain any damage.
The movement, as per AFP said, “We love art but future artists will have nothing to paint on a burning planet.”
(With inputs from agencies)
