Man dressed as granny in wheelchair vandalizes Mona Lisa to protest climate change

The Mona Lisa is perhaps the most iconic painting in the world, with millions flocking to Paris to catch a glimpse of it every year.

While the scene around the Mona Lisa is typically chaotic, with tourists scrambling through a forest of selfie sticks to take pictures, visitors on Sunday were shocked when an environmental activist disguised as a granny threw a piece of cake at the painting.

As Le Parisien reports, the incident took place around lunchtime on Sunday. The 24-year-old perpetrator disguised himself as a granny in a wheelchair in order to jump the queue, and upon coming face to face with the Mona Lisa, stood up and proceeded to throw a piece of cake at it. He then tossed rose petals towards the painting, before being escorted away by security.

"Think of the Earth," he shouted before leaving the room. "There are people who are destroying the Earth. Think about it. Artists tell you, think about the Earth. That's why I did this. Think of the planet."

The whole time, fellow museum-goers watched with a mixture of confusion and amusement.

"No way!" one man said, before laughing.

According to Le Parisien, the perpetrator was handed over to police by museum security, and was taken to the psychiatric infirmary where it will be determined whether he is mentally fit to remain in custody.

The Mona Lisa has been the target of numerous attacks, and as such has sat behind a protective casing at the Louvre since the 1950's. It was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in the early 1500's, and became a permanent fixture at the Louvre in 1797.

The painting, while always adored by French royalty, was catapulted into popular culture during the Victorian era thanks to art critic Walter Pater.

Following its return after being stolen in 1911 by a museum employee, the Mona Lisa solidified itself as a cultural icon, and steadily rose to become the most visited painting on Earth. It is estimated that 80% of people who go to the Louvre do so solely to see this one piece of art.