What Happened to the Mona Lisa? A Timeline of the Painting's Stolen History

The most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, has long been a favorite subject of art experts and historians around the world. So it’s not surprising that when it was stolen from the Louvre in Paris in 1911, people were shocked and dismayed by the disappearance of such an important work of art. And there have been many twists and turns along the way since that day – here’s everything you need to know about this famous painting and how it was stolen...

Mona Lisa imager

Who discovered the theft?

On August 21, 1911, Vincenzo Peruggia walked into Italy’s Louvre Museum and removed a masterpiece from its frame. The museum had been closed for renovations that day, so no one noticed until evening when it was discovered that Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was missing. To this day, no one knows how Peruggia got away with his crime. It wasn’t until two years later that he revealed himself as the man who took down La Gioconda. (The painting is commonly referred to as Mona Lisa, but her real name is Lisa del Giocondo.)

1911

Who took it and why did they do it?

What do you get when you combine a 16th century obsession with Da Vinci and one of history’s most famous painters? You get a painting that was stolen twice during its short lifespan, first in 1911 and then again in 1913. The exact details surrounding how and why are still debated today, but here’s what we know: When Leonardo da Vinci died on May 2, 1519, his remains were buried at Santa Maria delle Grazie church in Milan. His beloved Mona Lisa painting was left behind in his studio until it too would be moved to another location—in 1797, it joined him at Santa Maria della Grazie. From there, it traveled around Europe for display before landing back in Paris—where things started getting interesting.

1511

Where was it taken from?

The Louvre, Paris, 1911. In a brazen nighttime heist, Vincenzo Peruggia used a bathroom key (the Louvre didn’t have locks) and hid in a closet until after closing time. He then strolled out with La Gioconda under his arm—and was caught only because he couldn’t resist bragging about his feat. He was sent to prison for three years but was pardoned by French president Raymond Poincaré upon his release. After that, Peruggia returned home to Italy where he died in poverty at age 77.

How did they move it past security, if there was any at all in 1911

The painting was pinched by one Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian who had previously worked as a museum guard. Because he knew his way around, and because he blended in (in other words, because he didn't look suspicious), Peruggia was able to simply walk into the museum with a friend one day and leave with his prize under his arm. He hid it in his apartment for two years until authorities discovered him when he attempted to sell it. Though he was arrested, Peruggia escaped from prison after only a few months. His fate is unknown; some say he died in France while others claim that he returned to Italy and lived out his days there quietly.

How long was it missing for

The painting was first taken in 1911 and disappeared for two years. It re-emerged briefly in 1913 before disappearing for good. The Mona Lisa spent almost 80 years lost to history, living a double life as one of France’s most famous paintings and one of its best-kept secrets. This is her story. How long was it missing for: The painting was first taken in 1911 and disappeared for two years. It re-emerged briefly in 1913 before disappearing for good.

Was anyone ever charged or convicted for stealing or taking part in its disappearance

No, but many people were arrested for possession of stolen goods. Police arrested Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian immigrant and former Louvre employee in Paris for stealing it on August 21, 1911. By that time he was living in Florence with Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa under his bed. He had smuggled it out of France by concealing it behind a large picture in a wooden frame he had bought from a second-hand shop near the museum. He was tried and convicted, spending six months in prison before being released for good behavior. The painting remained missing until 1914 when Peruggia brought it back to Italy where he displayed it at a Florentine gallery before attempting to sell it back to French officials at a fraction of its value.

When and where was it found

The painting was originally discovered in Florence, Italy, at Francesco del Giocondo’s palazzo, who purchased it from a Florentine art dealer named Leonardo da Vinci. He took possession of it sometime between 1503 and 1506 and hung it on a wall in his home. It remained there until 1517 when he died and it passed down to his son Piero. It stayed with him until 1525 when he sold it to King Francis I of France for 4,000 gold crowns (which would be worth about $2 million today). At that point, ownership changed hands again as Francis I gave it as a gift to King Henry II of France.

Current location

Louvre, Paris (France) La Joconde, or Mona Lisa in Italian, is an oil painting by Leonardo da Vinci, who painted it between 1503 and 1517. The subject of countless art-world controversies, it remains one of the most famous paintings in history, instantly recognizable for its subject’s mysterious smile and neutral gaze. Its name has become synonymous with artistic masterpieces: Today we call anything a masterpiece that is superior work. But before being called La Gioconda, La Joconde, or even Mona Lisa, it was simply known as the portrait of Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo. It wasn't until centuries later that historians discovered who she was. The following timeline explores some of her journey from Renaissance Italy to modern day France.

Current condition

The painting was stolen from The Louvre Museum on August 21, 1911. It was recovered on August 22, 1914. It has been in safe keeping at The Louvre ever since then. What happened? Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is one of most famous paintings in history. 

Here’s a look back at its fascinating and often mysterious history: 1517-1519: Leonardo da Vinci paints what will become known as La Gioconda (or Mona Lisa) during his final years living in Florence, Italy. He takes it with him when he moves to France in 1516.