Vincenzo Peruggia

Vincenzo Peruggia (1881–1925) was an Italian handyman and painter who committed one of history's most famous art thefts when he stole Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' from the Louvre Museum in Paris on August 21, 1911. Born in Dumenza, Italy, Peruggia had worked at the Louvre and was familiar with the museum's layout and security. His motivation for the theft remains somewhat debated by historians, though he claimed it was to return the painting to Italy. Peruggia hid the painting in his apartment for two years before attempting to sell it, during which time the theft became international news and made the 'Mona Lisa' even more famous than before. He was eventually caught and imprisoned, serving about eight months before his release. After his release, Peruggia faded into obscurity, but his theft remains one of the most significant events in art history, fundamentally changing how museums approach security and public interest in artworks. The incident demonstrated how a single act could transform a painting into a cultural phenomenon and made the 'Mona Lisa' arguably the most recognizable artwork in the world.