Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa stands as one of the world’s most cherished artworks, residing in the Louvre and revered as the pinnacle of Renaissance brilliance. Its intrinsic value is deemed immeasurable, captivating millions annually and earning the unfortunate distinction of being subjected to theft and vandalism multiple times.
Throughout the 20th century, this masterpiece weathered attempts at defacement, including incidents involving spray paint, a teacup, and various objects aimed at compromising its integrity. Notably, in 1911, the painting was stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia, only to be recovered later after a failed attempt to sell it. The 1956 episodes saw a razor blade and a rock menacing the artwork, yet it emerged unscathed. Salvador Dalí once remarked on the Mona Lisa’s unique power to incite various aggressive acts.
ARTnews retraces five significant instances of vandalism and theft involving the Mona Lisa:
- 1911: The Mona Lisa is Stolen
- Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian handyman, masterminded the infamous 1911 theft, concealing the painting for over two years before a failed attempt to sell it in Florence led to his arrest. The Mona Lisa was subsequently returned to the Louvre.
- 1956: A Rock is Thrown at Leonardo’s Masterpiece
- In 1956, two separate incidents involved a vandal attempting to use a razor blade and another, Hugo Unjaga Villegas, throwing a rock at the painting. The rock caused minimal damage, promptly repaired by experts.
- 1974: While on Tour, Leonardo’s Painting is Nearly Damaged in Tokyo
- On display in Tokyo, the Mona Lisa faced potential harm when a Japanese woman, Tomoko Yonezu, sprayed red paint on it as a protest. Despite some droplets reaching the canvas, the painting was ultimately unharmed.
- 2009: La Gioconda is Hit with a Teacup
- A Russian woman, denied French citizenship, expressed her frustration by smashing a teacup against the Mona Lisa in 2009. The painting, protected by a glass case, remained unscathed.
- 2022: The Mona Lisa Gets Caked
- In 2022, a man smeared cake on the Mona Lisa as a protest against climate change. Detained immediately, he prompted a criminal complaint from the Louvre.
- 2024: Climate Protestors Throw Soup at the Mona Lisa
- Environmental activists from Riposte Alimentaire splashed soup on the Mona Lisa in 2024, aligning their protest with a focus on sustainable agriculture. The act occurred within a broader trend of climate protests in museums during the 2020s.
These instances underscore the enduring allure and resilience of the Mona Lisa, as well as the challenges it has faced throughout its storied history.
