Mona Lisa Theft of 1911 Transformed Painting into Global Icon
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century, gained unprecedented global recognition following its theft from the Louvre Museum on August 21, 1911. The incident, widely dubbed the 'art heist of the century' by international media including The New York Times, propelled the painting into an iconic status. Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian man, stole the artwork, believing it should be returned to Italy. The Mona Lisa remained missing for two years before its recovery in 1913. This event significantly amplified the painting's fame, drawing massive global attention to it. Today, the Mona Lisa is heavily protected behind bulletproof glass at the Louvre, continuing to attract large crowds of visitors daily.