Activists throw mashed potatoes over famous $110 million Monet painting

Climate change activists have thrown mashed potatoes over a famous $110 million Claude Monet painting. Watch it for yourself:

In footage shared on social media, the pair can be seen wearing orange high-vis jackets and approaching the work.

Sharing the video to the group's Twitter account, a spokesperson said: "We make this #Monet the stage and the public the audience.

"If it takes a painting – with #MashedPotatoes or #TomatoSoup thrown at it – to make society remember that the fossil fuel course is killing us all: Then we'll give you #MashedPotatoes on a painting!"

Since the video was posted, the group has come in for some criticism, with many upset by the stunt.

"Even your goal does not legitimise such means," wrote one. "But such means, in the eyes of many, delegitimise your purpose. If climate protection has barbarians like you as friends, it no longer needs enemies."

After chucking the soup at the painting, one of the protesters then asked the gathered crowd: "What is worth more, art or life? Is it worth more than food?

"More than justice?

"Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting, or the protection of our planet and people?

"The cost-of-living crisis is part of the cost of oil crisis."

But while many people support their aim, their methods have left a lot to be desired with some.

Videos shared on social media of Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain activists blocking roads have shown members of the public dragging protesters out of the way.

In the clip, the woman can be seen pleading with the protesters to get out of her way.

She says: "I need to go to the hospital, please let me pass. This isn't OK... How can you be so selfish?"