Renaissance Art: The Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa, arguably the most famous painting in the world, was stolen from the Louvre in Paris in 1911. The theft of the painting caused a public uproar and launched an international search for the missing artwork.
The thief, a former Louvre employee named Vincenzo Peruggia, had worked on the Mona Lisa and knew the museum's security system. He hid in a closet overnight and stole the painting when the museum was closed. Peruggia then took the painting to Italy, hoping to sell it to an art dealer.
The painting was missing for two years, during which time the police conducted an extensive investigation and followed numerous leads, including some that led them to Pablo Picasso. Eventually, Peruggia was caught and the painting was recovered in Florence in 1913. The painting was returned to the Louvre, where it remains to this day.
The theft of the Mona Lisa brought attention to the issue of art theft and the need for improved security measures in museums. Today, the painting is protected by bulletproof glass and a sophisticated security system, making it nearly impossible to steal.
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