1911day.year
The Mona Lisa is stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia, a Louvre employee.
In 1911, Louvre employee Vincenzo Peruggia stole Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, sparking international intrigue.
On the morning of August 21, 1911, Italian handyman and Louvre employee Vincenzo Peruggia entered the museum disguised as a worker. He removed Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa from its frame and concealed it under his clothing before exiting undetected. The painting remained missing for over two years, during which its disappearance captivated the world and elevated its fame. Peruggia claimed patriotic motives, believing the masterpiece belonged in Italy. In December 1913, he attempted to sell the painting to an art dealer in Florence and was arrested. The Mona Lisa was returned to the Louvre, where security measures were significantly enhanced. The theft remains one of the most famous art heists in history.
1911
Mona Lisa
stolen
Vincenzo Peruggia
Louvre