Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Mona Lisa Theft Sparked Fame And Newspaper Frenzy
Someone stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre.
Newspapers quickly reported the theft.
People followed each new development in the investigation.
This made the painting much more famous than before.
The painting was missing from 1911 to 1913, while the case dominated the news.
A man named Peruggia was arrested in Florence when he tried to sell it.
The Mona Lisa was recovered and taken back to the Louvre.
The museum says the painting became even more famous after it was returned.
The Mona Lisa was stolen, triggering widespread newspaper coverage between 1911 and 1913.
The theft gave the painting a new kind of celebrity and helped make it world famous.
According to the Library of Congress, public interest grew as the investigation unfolded.
Peruggia was arrested in Florence while attempting to sell the painting.
The Mona Lisa was recovered, returned to the Louvre, and became even more famous afterward.
- Who
- Peruggia was arrested after attempting to sell the Mona Lisa; the Louvre recovered and received the painting.
- What
- The Mona Lisa was stolen, later recovered, and returned to the Louvre.
- When
- The theft dominated news coverage between 1911 and 1913.
- Where
- The painting was associated with the Louvre, and Peruggia was arrested in Florence.
- Why
- The theft attracted intense newspaper coverage, increasing the Mona Lisa’s fame.
- Artwork
- The Mona Lisa
- Museum
- The Louvre
- Investigation period
- 1911–1913
- Arrest location
- Florence
- Suspect
- Peruggia
- Outcome
- The painting was recovered and returned to the Louvre
- Historical description
- The Louvre calls it the “theft of the century”