Protesters have hurled soup at the glass-protected Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, Mona Lisa, in Paris on Sunday, BBC News reported.

In a viral video, the two female climate activists can be seen throwing soup at the soup and calling for the right to “healthy and sustainable food”.

It showed activists speaking in French after entering the barrier. Museum security then put up black screens in front of them as visitors took pictures from their phones. The room was later evacuated.

The 16th Century painting is one of the world’s most famous artworks, and is held at the Louvre in central Paris, France.

The work was not damaged as it was behind a protective glass, according to Louvre.

Protesters were wearing T-shirts that read “food counterattack” and threw the liquid.

“What is more important? Art or the right to healthy and sustainable food? Your agricultural system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work,” they said after standing in front of the painting and raising their right hand.

A group called Riposte Alimentaire (Food Counterattack) claimed responsibility for the act.

In a statement posted to X, it said the protest was part of efforts to integrate “food into the general social security system”.

The group called for a food card worth €150 (Rs45,450) to be given to citizens each month to be used on food.

However, the painting was not damaged in the protest.