How was the picture theft Mona Lisa decoded?

There have been many evaluations that, thanks to this famous theft, the Mona Lisa painting is known worldwide.

On August 21, 1911, Leonardo Da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre in Paris, France by the thief Vincenzo Perugia , a former museum employee. The theft has shocked the whole world. It wasn't until two years later that a new painting was found. The mysteries behind the historic burglary are still a topic of interest every time you introduce the Mona Lisa painting.

Vincenzo Perugia, who stole the famous Mona Lisa painting.

How did Perugia steal paintings?

At first, the police suggested that the thief had broken into the museum the night before, right after closing. However, Perugia, after being arrested, claimed that he broke into the Louvre simply by wearing a white coat, posing as a museum employee. Previously, Perugia used to work here so he had a shirt that was easy to understand. After that, Perugia just entered the museum from the staff door without being checked. Too simple.

After entering the museum, Perugia is very comfortable going around in the form of staff. When he came to the room to preserve the Mona Lisa, he pretended to do the work there, waiting for the others to come out, he rushed to take the picture from the hook, reached the nearest staircase, removed the frame, and the scroll to the jacket go out. At that time there were not as many modern protective devices as they are now.

However, the investigating agency has questioned this testimony. The time was too short for Perugia to take the picture, remove the frame and then wrap the painting in the jacket and go out. It is possible that a second suspect was involved in the historic theft. Even so, all of them are only later. At the time of 1911, no one discovered Perugia's act until two years later.

The location of the Mona Lisa painting after being stolen.

How did the thief steal the net?

In 1913, Perugia returned to Italy. After stealing the painting, he hid in a tree and then, when everything settled down, he continued to bring a picture of Italy to avoid French police eyes and ears. When he arrived in Florence, he contacted a famous colleague Alfredo Geri. Perugia explained to Geri that he stole Mona Lisa for wanting the painting to return to his real home. This action is purely patriotic.

When he saw the Mona Lisa, Geri claimed it was genuine. Stunned, Geri persuaded Perugia to repaint his workshop. Without a doubt, Perugia did as requested. Geri told the police. Perugia was arrested shortly after.

However, due to insufficient evidence, after 7 months of detention, Perugia was released. After the First World War, Perugia went to France, married, had a daughter. In October 1923, Perugia died. After changing the name, few people knew that Perugia had been involved in a world history theft.

Super thief Perugia was arrested in 1913, and the Mona Lisa was later returned to the Louvre .

What is the true motive of the thief?

Some say that Perugia wanted to be famous, so he stole the painting. He thought that bringing Mona Lisa to Italy would make him a national hero. In the end, he was imprisoned in 1913 when he failed to fulfill his delusions.

It is also assumed that Perugia actually wanted to steal the painting for money. Clearly, besides patriotism, Perugia still wanted to sell the painting with a huge amount of money and Geri was the first customer he offered. In late 1911, Perugia himself wrote to his father and said he would be rich soon.

The world famous Mona Lisa also thanks to Perugia thief.

The theft boosted Mona Lisa's reputation

After being returned to the Louvre, the Mona Lisa painting is more famous than ever , and can even be considered the most famous painting in the world at that time. When stolen, the Mona Lisa image is flooded with newspapers worldwide. Everyday people see a mysterious smile on the picture. They ask questions, they study that smile. It can be said that Perugia is the main cause of the famous picture quickly.

The real motive of Perugia, so far no one knows. But one thing is certain: the time has changed, now the Mona Lisa has been protected inside the bulletproof glass, equipped with the most stringent protection measures.