The theft that made the 'Mona Lisa' a masterpiece
TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 19, 2026, 17:36 (IST)
In 1911, the Louvre's Mona Lisa vanished, sparking global intrigue. Initially an overlooked artwork, its theft catapulted it to unprecedented fame. Accusations flew from American collectors to Kaiser Wilhelm, but an Italian handyman, Vincenzo Perugia, was the culprit. His patriotic motive and the painting's subsequent notoriety cemented its iconic status.