Vincenzo Peruggia
Italian decorator who stole the Mona Lisa in 1911.
Vincenzo Peruggia was an Italian decorator and former Louvre employee who perpetrated the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911. His crime made the painting one of the most famous artworks in the world.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1881-10-08
- Birth Name
- Pietro Vincenzo Antonio Peruggia
- Birth Place
- Dumenza, Varese, Italy
- Death Date
- 1925-10-08
- Death Place
- Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France
- Other Names
- Pietro Peruggia
- Known For
- Theft of the Mona Lisa
- Occupation
- Decorator, soldier
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Pietro Vincenzo Antonio Peruggia was born on 8 October 1881 in Dumenza, Italy, to Celeste Rossi and Giacomo Peruggia. After moving to Paris in 1908, he briefly worked at the Louvre cleaning and reframing paintings, and helped construct the protective case for the Mona Lisa. On 21 August 1911, he entered the Louvre wearing a white smock, lifted the painting from the wall, removed its frame, and left through a service door. He hid the painting in his Paris apartment for two years.
Reader's Guide
Peruggia's theft of the Mona Lisa transformed the painting from a well-known work into a global icon. The massive police investigation, newspaper headlines, and public fascination following the theft made the artwork one of the most recognized in history. His case illustrates how a single criminal act can dramatically alter cultural perception. The theft also exposed security weaknesses at the Louvre, where entry was free and staff were not thoroughly vetted. Peruggia's motivations remain disputed: he claimed patriotism, but his letters and attempt to sell the painting suggest financial gain. The lenient sentence reflected popular Italian sentiment that he was a patriot, despite evidence to the contrary. The event also led to the arrest of Pablo Picasso and Guillaume Apollinaire, showing the wide net cast by investigators. Ultimately, Peruggia's crime inadvertently elevated the Mona Lisa's fame to unprecedented heights.
Did You Know?
- Peruggia had previously helped construct the protective case for the Mona Lisa and knew how to open it in minutes.
- The theft was not discovered until the next day, when a painter found the painting missing.
- Peruggia hid the painting in a trunk in his Paris apartment for two years before returning to Italy.
- At trial, a psychiatrist called Peruggia an 'imbecile' after he answered a riddle incorrectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Vincenzo Peruggia?
Vincenzo Peruggia (1881–1925) was an Italian decorator and glazier who worked at the Louvre in Paris. He is best known for removing the Mona Lisa from the museum in 1911, an act that turned the painting into a global icon.
How did Peruggia steal the Mona Lisa?
Working as a Louvre employee, he slipped the small canvas off its wall during a period when the museum was closed, concealed it beneath his coat, and carried it out through the main entrance without triggering any alarm.
How was Peruggia eventually caught?
In 1913, he attempted to sell the painting to an art dealer in Florence, and the dealer alerted police. He was arrested, and the Mona Lisa was recovered and returned to the Louvre.
What sentence did Peruggia receive?
An Italian court handed him roughly four years in prison for the theft. He was released in 1915 and lived out the remainder of his life as a private citizen until his death in 1925.
Why is Peruggia's theft considered historically significant?
Before 1911 the Mona Lisa was admired but not universally famous; the worldwide publicity surrounding its disappearance and recovery cemented it as the most recognized painting on Earth. Peruggia's crime thus inadvertently reshaped art history and public culture.
More in Infamous Criminals & Spies 1-19
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced