WATCH | Lady Gaga Transforms the Mona Lisa with a Harley Quinn Lipstick Makeover at the Louvre

In a captivating new video, Lady Gaga playfully “vandalizes” the Mona Lisa with lipstick, all in the name of promoting the Louvre’s upcoming exhibition, “Figures of the Fool.” The video, released Wednesday, features the pop icon channeling her Harley Quinn character from the highly anticipated film “Joker: Folie à Deux.”

The clip showcases Gaga sneaking through the Louvre at night, adorned with a striking red wig, as she sings an original song composed specifically for this promotional effort. The scene culminates with Gaga standing face-to-face with Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, where she leaves a playful, clownish smile in bright lipstick on the protective glass covering the iconic painting. As she pulls back, a black mascara tear rolls down her cheek, adding a dramatic flair to the whimsical act.

The Louvre was quick to clarify that the video is purely fictional and a tribute to da Vinci’s fascination with smiles. In response to concerns about promoting vandalism at a time when artworks have been targeted by climate activists, the museum emphasized that additional protective measures were taken during the filming. They placed an extra screen in front of the Mona Lisa’s existing 1.5-inch thick bulletproof glass to ensure the artwork’s safety.

The playful lipstick application mirrors a memorable scene in “Joker: Folie à Deux,” where Harley Quinn, portrayed by Gaga, visits The Joker in prison. This partnership between Lady Gaga and the Louvre was made possible through collaboration with Warner Bros Pictures, the studio behind the film.

The Louvre has a history of being a canvas for artistic expression beyond its traditional exhibits. In 2016, rapper Will.i.am infused life into classic works in his animated video for “Mona Lisa Smile,” even taking the reins of Napoleon’s horse in one imaginative scene. Two years later, power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z filmed their striking music video “Apeshit” at the museum, utilizing iconic pieces like Géricault’s “The Raft of the Medusa” and the Mona Lisa to explore themes of race and representation in art history.

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More recently, the Louvre has continued to draw attention, notably hosting singer Celine Dion for a private visit ahead of her performance at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in July. The museum’s ability to intertwine contemporary culture with its historical significance makes it a dynamic space for artistic exploration.

As Lady Gaga embraces her role as a modern artist, her playful tribute to the Mona Lisa challenges the boundaries of artistic expression. This intersection of pop culture and classic art prompts a conversation about the evolving nature of art and how it can be reinterpreted through contemporary lenses.

While some may debate the implications of such “vandalism,” the Louvre stands firm in its commitment to artistic homage. With exhibitions like “Figures of the Fool” opening next month, the museum aims to blend humor and reflection, inviting visitors to engage with art in new and innovative ways.

As we look forward to the exhibition’s launch, Lady Gaga’s lipstick moment serves as a reminder of the transformative power of art, both classic and modern. The excitement generated by this collaboration between a global music icon and one of the world’s most renowned museums reinforces the idea that art continues to be a vibrant dialogue across generations and genres.