Louvre Heist
The Louvre Heist most commonly refers to the 1911 चोरी of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa from the Louvre Museum in Paris.
The Louvre Heist most commonly refers to the 1911 theft of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa from the Louvre Museum in Paris, carried out by former employee Vincenzo Peruggia.
What it is
The best-known Louvre heist is the removal of the Mona Lisa on 21 August 1911. Peruggia, an Italian who had previously worked at the museum, hid inside until after closing, then took the painting from its frame and left disguised as a worker. The theft was not noticed for about 28 hours.
Recovery and return
The painting was recovered in Florence in December 1913 when Peruggia tried to sell it. It returned to the Louvre in January 1914. The theft drew major international attention and is widely credited with transforming the Mona Lisa into a global icon.
Why it matters
The 1911 heist is one of the most famous art thefts in history. In Canada, it is taught in art-history and world-history contexts as a landmark event in museum security and cultural fame.
In short
- Vincenzo Peruggia, a former Louvre employee, stole the Mona Lisa on 21 August 1911.
- He hid in the museum overnight and removed the painting after closing.
- The painting was recovered in Florence in December 1913 and returned to the Louvre in January 1914.
- The theft helped make the Mona Lisa globally famous.
The Mona Lisa theft is taught and discussed in Canadian art-history and world-history contexts because it is one of the most famous museum thefts in modern history.
Quick questions
Who stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre?
When was the Mona Lisa stolen?
How long did it take for the theft to be noticed?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincenzo_PeruggiaSupports: Peruggia as the thief; date of theft; former Louvre worker.
- Artnet News — https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-bites-mona-lisa-louvre-heist-2708512Supports: How the theft was carried out; 28 hours until the missing painting was noticed.
- ABC News — https://abcnews.com/International/history-heists-louvre-mona-lisa-napoleons-jewels/story?id=126680032Supports: Peruggia stole and smuggled the painting out after hours.
- NPR — https://www.npr.org/2011/07/30/138800110/the-theft-that-made-the-mona-lisa-a-masterpieceSupports: Peruggia and associates; recovery and return to Paris/Louvre.
- History — https://www.history.com/news/the-heist-that-made-the-mona-lisa-famousSupports: The theft method; recovery in 1913; return in January 1914.
- CNN — https://www.cnn.com/2013/11/18/world/europe/mona-lisa-the-theftSupports: Recovery in December 1913 and return to the Louvre.
- The Art Newspaper — https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/02/06/missing-mona-lisa-the-story-behind-the-1911-theftSupports: 1911 theft and recovery two years later in Florence.