🕯️ Notes from the casefile
The Great Mona Lisa Heist: Vincenzo Peruggia's Bold Theft
- What: Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911, claiming he was returning it to Italy.
- Where: Louvre Museum, Paris
- When: August 21, 1911
On August 21, 1911, a seemingly ordinary day in Paris turned extraordinary. Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian handyman, executed a heist that would shock the art world.
After working at the Louvre, he had inside knowledge of the museum’s layout. He knew when it was quiet and how to blend in.
That morning, he slipped the iconic Mona Lisa under his smock. Unbeknownst to the guards, he walked right out of the museum.
Peruggia claimed he was returning the painting to Italy, believing it belonged there. However, his audacity raised eyebrows.
It took over two years for authorities to catch up with him. In December 1913, he was arrested after revealing the painting in Florence.
The art world was in shock. How could a masterpiece be stolen so easily? Peruggia’s motives were complex, blending patriotism with criminal intent.
Ultimately, the Mona Lisa was returned to the Louvre, but the story of its theft remains legendary.
Did You Know?
The Mona Lisa was recovered in 1913 and is now one of the most famous paintings in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year to the Louvre.