BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- A Russian woman threw a ceramic teacup at one of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpieces, the portrait of the Mona Lisa, on Aug. 2, a Louvre spokesman said as quoted by media reports Wednesday.

    Fortunately, the portrait remains undamaged as the cup smashed after it hit the screen protecting the painting. "The work is intact, and viewing was only disturbed the time it took to pick up the pieces," said David Madec, a Louvre spokesman.

    The Russian, later told police she had been upset because she had not been granted French nationality, had hidden the cup in a purse. The cup was bought in the museum.

    The woman was arrested and was taken to a psychiatric ward afterwards. "She was clearly deranged," a police spokesman said. Later, she was released, but faced legal action from the Louvre.

    This is the latest attack on the portrait, which was stolen in 1911 by an Italian before being returned two years later. In 1956, it was doused with acid. Later that year, it was damaged again after a man threw a rock at it.

    (Agencies)