The Unseen Hero Protecting the 'Mona Lisa'

Jun 15, 2022 2:00 PM ET
the 'Mona Lisa'

Every day, thousands of tourists flock to see Leonardo da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa" inside the Louvre Museum in Paris to catch a glimpse, or take a selfie with one of the world’s most famous paintings. On Sunday, one of those people shocked visitors and guards alike when he reportedly smeared cream from a pastry all over the glass that shields the painting.

Guardian Clarity™ glass protects the "Mona Lisa" and had done its job. Other than needing a quick wipe down, the glass served as the unseen hero protecting this and many other priceless world treasures and works of art around the globe.

Guardian Clarity™ glass delivers a viewing experience unlike anything else by drastically reducing reflections while increasing light transmission. People and institutions, like the Louvre, choose this anti-reflective glass because it enables closer, more intimate interaction with the items on display, while providing security and protection when laminated.

The glass can reduce reflections from around 8% to just 0.7% and can increase light transmission from 90% to 98%. It can also protect these treasures from 100% of pastry-smearing incidents.

Guardian Clarity™ glass, a product of Koch company Guardian Industries, is used for a wide variety of applications, from museum and art gallery displays to zoo enclosures. It can be laminated for security and tempered, or heat strengthened.

With Guardian Clarity™ glass, you can be sure it will provide a clear, secure view of whatever you’re trying to display – even if someone smears pastry on it.