The Thefts of the Mona Lisa by Noah Charney
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Summary from Goodreads:
If you read one book on the Mona Lisa, let this be it. From the artwork to its theft and role in popular culture, The Thefts of the Mona Lisa provides the complete story, as written by a best-selling, Pulitzer finalist.
Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait, called the Mona Lisa, is without doubt the world’s most famous painting. It achieved its fame not only because it is a remarkable example of Renaissance portraiture, created by an acclaimed artistic and scientific genius, but because of its criminal history. The Mona Lisa (also called La Gioconda or La Joconde) was stolen on 21 August 1911 by an Italian, Vincenzo Peruggia. Peruggia was under the mistaken impression that the Mona Lisa had been stolen from Italy during the Napoleonic era, and he wished to take back for Italy one of his country’s greatest treasures. His successful theft of the painting from the Louvre, the farcical manhunt that followed, and Peruggia’s subsequent trial in Florence were highly publicized, sparking the attention of the international media, and catapulting an already admired painting into stratospheric heights of fame. This book reveals the art and criminal history of the Mona Lisa.
Charney examines the criminal biography of Leonardo’s Mona Lisa, with a focus on separating fact from fiction in the story of what is not only the most famous art heist in history, but which is the single most famous theft of all time. In the process he delves into Leonardo’s creation of the Mona Lisa, discusses why it is so famous, and investigates two other events in its history of theft and renown. First, it examines the so-called “affaire des statuettes,” in which Pablo Picasso and Guillaume Apollinaire were arrested under suspicion of involvement in the theft of the Mona Lisa. Second, there has long been a question as to whether the Nazis stole the Mona Lisa during the Second World War—a question that this book seeks to resolve.
Confession:
I know very little about art, but I have always been intrigued about why everyone was so obsessed with the Mona Lisa. Yes, it is a very nice portrait painted by a very famous artist, but is it really the best? I personally prefer the Girl with the Pearl Earring. I have seen both portraits and I found the Mona Lisa a bit lacking. But that is just my opinion.
So why is this particular painting so famous? Well if you are to believe this author it is because it was stolen and missing for two years back in 1911. There was a lot of coverage when the painting was stolen, the newspapers went on and on about how unsecure the art work in the Louvre was, and the police were quite embarrassed about not apprehending anyone for the crime. They were even more embarrassed when the thief more or less turned himself in with the painting. But the author does make a compelling story out of this simple heist.
I did learn quite a bit about the Mona Lisa and da Vinci in the opening chapters. It was nice that a picture of the painting was included so that I could refer to it as it was described. I had no idea that da Vinci did not create many paintings and that he considered most of them as unfinished when he died. The theft itself was a bit underwhelming, he basically walked out of the museum, but the manhunt was interesting. The part that Picasso may have played was also interesting, but I’m not sure it deserved the 30 pages of discussion.
The writing was factual and interesting, but it felt at times that I was being lectured to. There were also times that I felt things were a bit repetitive. It is very well researched and I could tell that the author was passionate about his subject, I just kind of wished it was a more compelling read.
If you are into art and especially art history this is probably a book you might want to take a look at. True crime fans might also be interested, but it a bit on the dry side from other true crime books I have read. This was not a bad read, it was interesting and I learned some things from it, but I did find it a little dry and long winded at times.
Confessions of a Serial Reader 
I have to admit I fail to see the allure of the Mona Lisa as well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts
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It is weird how everyone just loves her! I think it is partly because she is just so well known, but still.
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