The Man Who Stole The 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.
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