About this video

• Video Title: Le jour où la JOCONDE a disparu !
• Channel: Jamy - Epicurieux
• Speakers: None explicitly named in the transcript.
• Duration: 00:13:08

Overview

This video recounts the dramatic story of the Mona Lisa's theft from the Louvre Museum in 1911 by Vincenzo Peruggia and the subsequent investigation. It details how the event, despite the painting not being a major star at the time, propelled it to global fame.

Key takeaways

• Theft by Vincenzo Peruggia: An Italian worker, Vincenzo Peruggia, stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre on August 21, 1911, while installing protective glass.
• Initial Underestimation: The Mona Lisa was not yet the star of the Louvre, and its theft was initially treated with less urgency by guards who assumed it was being moved for restoration or photography.
• Public and Media Frenzy: The disappearance of the painting triggered a massive investigation and intense media coverage, significantly increasing public awareness and interest in the artwork.
• Impact on Fame: The prolonged investigation and widespread attention directly contributed to the Mona Lisa becoming the most famous painting in the world.
• Recovery and Return: Peruggia kept the painting hidden for over two years before attempting to sell it in Florence, leading to his arrest and the painting's eventual return to the Louvre in 1913.