The Thefts of the Mona Lisa: The Complete Story of the World’s Most Famous Artwork

It is ironic that an artist who rarely finished his paintings is responsible for the world’s most famous work of art; Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has captivated viewers since the early 16th century. Charney (The Art of Forgery; The Devil in the Gallery) explores how fascination with the painting has led to crime. The 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa is one of the most famous robberies in art history; that it was returned unscathed to the Louvre two years later seems like a miracle. Charney unpacks what drives people toward the Mona Lisa, the details surrounding the 1911 heist, and another mysterious theft of the masterpiece. Before introducing readers to the cast of characters in this thrilling mystery, he discusses Leonardo’s life, how the Mona Lisa came into existence, and how the portrait “disappeared” for a time during World War II, demonstrating that the history of the Mona Lisa is as mysterious as her smile.