Louvre: The man who stole the Mona Lisa
by Tony Perrottet
No trip to Paris, France is complete without a tour of the Louvre to see the famous Mona Lisa.
Today, a thick pane of bullet-proof security glass keeps artlovers a safe distance from the most famous painting in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, Wife of Francesco Giacondo,” known in French as “La Joconde” and English as the “Mona Lisa.” But back in 1911, it was simply hung on the walls of the Musée du Louvre like any other canvas. That was until a former museum employee named Vincenzo Perrugia strolled into the gallery before opening hours on August 21, noticed the room was empty, took down the Mona Lisa and walked out of the Louvre with it under a painting smock.
When the loss was finally noticed, the police were mystified. For two years, the whereabouts of the masterpiece was unknown, while French detectives made various wild guesses. (It had been stolen by the Germans. By anarchists. By evil geniuses. By lunatics.) They actually arrested the country’s top art critic, Guillame Apollinaire, then let him free.
Then, out of the blue in 1913, an Italian art dealer in Florence was contacted by a man calling himself “Leonardo” who claimed to have the Mona Lisa and wanted to see it hang in the Uffizi, Italy’s top art museum. Although he found it hard to believe that the thief could be so reckless, the dealer tipped off the police and agreed to meet the strange Leonardo in a Milan hotel room. There, the nondescript fellow opened his suitcase, emptied out his socks and underwear, opened up a false bottom in the case to reveal the Mona Lisa – and was immediately arrested.
It turned out that Perrugia was no criminal mastermind trying to make a fortune but a sentimental Italian nationalist who had stolen the canvas on impulse and merely wanted to see it returned to its land of origin. (The Mona Lisa was purchased by France’s King Francis I in the 1530s.) The recovery was greeted with exultation in France, and the famed canvas safely shipped to its home in the Louvre. Back in Italy, however, the thief Peruggia was hailed as a patriotic hero in Italy and served only a short prison sentence.
July 17th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Nice job you’ve done on your site – are you having fun with it? It’s interesting and well worth the time to visit.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:57 am
Interesting tidbits, thank you! A similar story ran on WAMU public radio/Writer’s Almanac this morning.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:41 am
Nice post. Thanks for sharing. Keep it up!
December 17th, 2011 at 2:48 am
Great article, man! I’m really very-vey much enjoy your blogging! Your posts are super amazing and interesting! You have your own cool style and you should improve your skills I think. 1 to you. Good luck man!
December 17th, 2011 at 11:43 am
Thank you for writing this tremendous top quality write-up. The info in this material confirms my point of view and you really laid it out well. I could never have written an article this great.
December 20th, 2011 at 11:35 am
I identified your website site on google and examine just several of the early posts. Proceed to keep up the superb operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Searching for forward to reading extra from you inside a while!?I’m usually to blogging and i really respect your subject material. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and preserve checking for brand spanking new information.
December 20th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
google is so cool, when i am bored i just surf the net and see what i can find to entertain me. good job
December 24th, 2011 at 5:02 am
Thank you for another magnificent post. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such info.
December 27th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Reviewer…
Hello!, I have gone ahead and bookmarked your page on Digg so my friends can see it too. I just used your blog title as the title in my bookmark, as I figured if it’s good enough for you to title your blog post that, then you probably would like to se…
December 28th, 2011 at 11:50 pm
Someone essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular publish amazing. Wonderful job!
December 29th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The website style is perfect, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers
December 29th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
I went over this web site and I think you’ve a lot of excellent data, bookmarked (:.
December 29th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
I have to express appreciation to this writer for bailing me out of such a circumstance. Because of looking out through the online world and coming across advice which are not helpful, I assumed my entire life was gone. Being alive without the presence of answers to the issues you have solved all through this posting is a serious case, as well as the ones that could have in a wrong way affected my entire career if I hadn’t come across the website. Your primary mastery and kindness in playing with every part was important. I am not sure what I would have done if I had not discovered such a step like this. I am able to at this point relish my future. Thanks a lot very much for this reliable and effective help. I won’t be reluctant to endorse your site to anyone who will need guidance about this issue.
January 1st, 2012 at 6:13 am
Very good blog post. I just bookmark your site in addition to would like to say that I have truly enjoyed while reading through your articles. Thank you for spreading the knowledge with all.
January 1st, 2012 at 7:21 am
Magnificent website. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your sweat!
January 1st, 2012 at 9:10 am
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
January 2nd, 2012 at 7:17 am
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely useful information specially the last part
I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
January 2nd, 2012 at 8:53 am
It’s actually a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:08 am
I am constantly browsing online for concepts that can benefit me. Thanks!
January 3rd, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Thank you so much for providing individuals with such a brilliant opportunity to discover important secrets from here. It is usually so enjoyable and also stuffed with fun for me and my office mates to search your website at the very least thrice weekly to read through the new guides you will have. Of course, I am certainly impressed with all the eye-popping creative ideas you serve. Certain two points in this posting are really the best we have had.
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:58 pm
wonderful points altogether, you simply gained a brand new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?
January 8th, 2012 at 10:06 am
There is certainly a good deal to know about this. I think you created some good points in this subject matter. So, just want to say fantastic job!
January 8th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
I am genuinely pleased to read this webpage posts which includes plenty of helpful facts, thanks for providing these kinds of statistics.
January 9th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Hi to every body, it’s my first go to see of this webpage; this weblog carries remarkable and truly fine material designed for visitors.
January 10th, 2012 at 10:50 am
hmm, i love the website layout. I can never find a proper designer? Its really stylish.
January 11th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
google is so neat, when i am bored i just surf the web and see what i can find to entertain me. good job
January 13th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
I have learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you set to make the sort of excellent informative site.
January 14th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
A lot of thanks for your whole effort on this site. My niece takes pleasure in making time for investigation and it is easy to see why. My spouse and i know all of the dynamic manner you provide valuable steps via this website and therefore inspire participation from people on that idea and my simple princess is truly learning a lot. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the new year. You’re the one doing a remarkable job.
January 19th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
I agree with your views on this… but if it was me i would change this up a little and make it a little more reader friendly for us uneduated folk, i got lost a little while reading it
January 19th, 2012 at 11:57 pm
I’m very happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
January 20th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Very good blog post. I just bookmark your site in addition to would like to say that I have truly enjoyed while reading through your articles. Thank you for spreading the knowledge with all.
January 22nd, 2012 at 12:49 am
continuously i used to read smaller articles or reviews that as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this article which I am reading at this place.
January 23rd, 2012 at 1:35 am
When I saw this web page having awesome featured YouTube video tutorials, I decided to watch out these all movies.
January 23rd, 2012 at 3:38 am
Its perfect time for you to develop plans for the long run as well as time to be happy. Ive check out this post of course I could I need to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you may write next articles referring to this information. I desire to read a lot more things about it!
January 23rd, 2012 at 9:50 am
I am delighted to see this you tube video at this web page, thus now I am also going to add all my video clips at YouTube website.
January 24th, 2012 at 5:17 am
Awesome video, in fact a nice quality, this YouTube video touched me a lot in terms of quality.
January 25th, 2012 at 5:38 am
This is often a remarkable post by the best way. I am likely to don’t wait and bookmark this post for my sis to take a look at in a while tomorrow. Keep up the good quality work.
January 25th, 2012 at 7:36 am
Hurrah, what a quality it is! Since mostly YouTube video clips have no pleasant feature, however this is truly a pleasant quality video.
January 25th, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Thanks for such a very good information, i’ve bookmarked your website and will visit again.
January 26th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
such as this, nevertheless it really How lots of time do you make payment for updating your blog every day? Wow ‘s all I can tell. Thanks again.
January 27th, 2012 at 1:35 am
This is usually a remarkable post by the way. I am gonna proceed and bookmark this post for my sis to try later on tomorrow. Keep up the good quality work.
January 28th, 2012 at 9:16 am
I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this info for my mission.
January 29th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next article, I will try to get the hang of it! Regards, Alfasi Merlot
January 30th, 2012 at 6:07 am
Hi i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also make comment due to this brilliant article.
January 30th, 2012 at 10:45 am
This is really a remarkable post by the way in which. I am gonna don’t wait and bookmark this post for my sis to check out in a while tomorrow. Keep up the good quality work.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:21 am
It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!
January 31st, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Man This isnt to bad, i am browing your site now and want to say Thanks for taking your time to create this
February 1st, 2012 at 4:37 pm
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Good way of describing, and good article to take facts concerning my presentation subject matter, which i am going to deliver in college.
February 3rd, 2012 at 6:56 am
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I came across this board and I in finding It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to present one thing again and aid others like you aided me.
February 3rd, 2012 at 10:22 am
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
February 3rd, 2012 at 10:27 am
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info specially the last part Us’miech I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
February 4th, 2012 at 10:35 pm
My grand father constantly used to watch YouTube comical video tutorials, hehehehehe, since he wishes to be cheerful always.
February 4th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
I read this piece of writing completely concerning the difference of most up-to-date and preceding technologies, it’s amazing article.
February 5th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite certain I will learn plenty of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
February 5th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
I every time spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s content all the time along with a mug of coffee.
February 5th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
I definitely like this blog. If it’s not too much trouble write more articles.
February 6th, 2012 at 6:42 am
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
February 6th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!