It's All Relative

On August 21, 1911, the art world was rocked by one of the most audacious art thefts in history—the disappearance of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa . The painting, housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, was not only a symbol of artistic genius but also a cultural treasure admired by millions. The theft left authorities baffled and the world in shock, as the Mona Lisa vanished without a trace for over two years. The Theft That Shocked the World The day the Mona Lisa went missing began like any other at the Louvre. The museum was closed to the public, allowing staff to carry out maintenance work and rearrange displays. Among the workers that day was Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian handyman and former Louvre employee. Disguised in a white smock similar to what the museum workers wore, Peruggia took advantage of the quiet Monday morning to carry out his plan. Peruggia removed the Mona Lisa from its protective glass case and hid it under his smock. He then simply walked o...