

Among the most well-known paintings in the world’s history is the Mona Lisa. Many people agree that Leonardo da Vinci’s half-length portrait painting is a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. It is the world’s most well-known, discussed, and visited work of art. However, because the Mona Lisa has been on exhibit at the Louvre in Paris since 1797, it is significant to note that the painting first gained international fame in 1911 as a result of its theft by a man named Vincenzo Peruggia, who claimed Italian patriotism as justification. Following its recovery in 1914, the picture garnered unheard-of levels of attention.
The Mona Lisa’s theft
Vincenzo Peruggia left Italy for Paris in 1908. He was hired by the Louvre in Paris to clean and reframe paintings and to create compelling arguments for some of the museum’s artwork, such as the Mona Lisa. He helped build the Mona Lisa’s box frame and was skilled at opening it fast. The Louvre was not very secure at the time.
Peruggia committed the biggest art theft of the 20th century in 1911. He dressed their costume and went in through the same door as other Louvre employees on the morning of August 21. The morning in the Louvre was calm and deserted. After removing the artwork from the four iron pegs, he took off the frame and protective cover. After removing his smock and encircling the picture with it, he departed the Louvre.
Interestingly, Peruggia was not employed by the Louvre at the time. He concealed the picture in his Paris residence when he left the gallery. The next day, it was located, and over 60 police officers combed the Louvre for hints, but they couldn’t find anything.