The Thefts of the Mona Lisa: On Stealing the World's Most Famous Painting

by Noah Charney, Derek Fincham (Foreword)

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 tells the art and criminal history of the Mona Lisa. This extended essay in book form, prepared to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the 1911 theft, 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 this book also tells of 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. This book provides a strong introduction to the Mona Lisa and the thefts surrounding it. “Noah Charney is the Sherlock Holmes of art theft. Beyond his great sleuthing prowess, he writes with the simple grace of a novelist and the erudition of a scholar. Here his subject could be no more the impossible-but-true story of the most famous of all paintings, the Mona Lisa. It is a tale that bounces along, implicating the likes of Apollinaire, Picasso, the Nazis, and Nat King Cole. It is easy to pick up and very hard to put down.” -Mark Lamster, author of Master of the Secret Diplomatic Career of the Painter Peter Paul Rubens "Deftly written and riveting to read." -Sidney Kirkpatrick, author of Hitler's Holy Relics “Few writers have brought the issue of art theft to the fore with the fervor of Noah Charney. With The Thefts of the Mona On Stealing the World’s Most Famous Painting, Charney has created a work that is equal parts lucid art history and thrilling true crime. Both the popular myths and the hidden truths surrounding the theft and recovery of Leonardo’s seminal work provide art theft investigators and museum security directors with important lessons for solving—and preventing—art crime today.” -Anthony Amore, art theft and security expert and author of Stealing The Untold Stories of Notorious Art Heists

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Crime, True Crime, Art History

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2011

About the author

Noah Charney holds degrees in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art and Cambridge University. He is the founding director of the Association for Research into Crimes against Art (ARCA), the first international think tank on art crime. He divides his time between New Haven, Connecticut; Cambridge, England; and Rome, Italy.

Reviews

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the wake of the high-profile trial came even more quixotic, conspiratorial, and occasionally ridiculous interpretations of the theft. When reality proves either insufficiently romantic, or appears to cloud over some darker truth, the public, and particularly overenthusiastic journalists, tend to add spice to the pot.

The Thefts of the Mona Lisa was originally released in 2011 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the theft of “the world’s most famous painting” in 1911. I’ve read an advanced copy of a rerelease (slated to drop in early 2024), and while author Noah Charney does include recent scholarship concerning the painting (in particular, Pascal Cotte’s LAM scans that seem to reveal hidden versions of the painting beneath the one we all recognise), his basic thesis is much the same: Ever since the Mona Lisa was famously stolen from the Louvre by Italian nationalist Vincenzo Peruggia (who erroneously believed that the painting had been looted from his home country by Napoleon), conspiracy theorists have suggested that what was returned to France in 1913 was a fake or a copy — or maybe the Nazis stole the painting during WWII and it was then that the French government decided to start displaying a fake — and it is to correct the “fake news” crowd that Charney outlines the known and verifiable history of the work. People looking for a scholarly treatment of this story should note that in an afterword, Charney writes: This book is conversationally written and meant to replicate my lectures. And it really does have a conversational/casual tone that sometimes jars with folksy vernacular. He also notes that since he relied heavily on books that he considers to be the best researched works on the history of Leonardo da Vinci and the Mona Lisa, he doesn't feel the need to quote primary sources here (directing the reader to investigate the footnotes of those books he references). Still: This is a fascinating story, well presented, and I’m happy to have read it. Probably a 3.5 stars read; happy to round up. (Note: I read an ARC through NetGalley and passages quoted may not be in their final forms.)

It would have been all but impossible to “shop” the Mona Lisa and find a buyer. It was simply too famous. That left a number of possibilities that various newspapers put forward: first, theft by a lunatic, who had no particular motivation; second, theft on commission by a criminal collector; third, theft as practical joke, perhaps by a journalist looking for a scoop; fourth, theft by a political group hoping to blackmail the French government; and the most bizarre of all, fifth, theft to sell forgeries to unsuspecting criminal art collectors. What seemed to occur to no one was the real motivation: an ideologically driven theft to repatriate the painting to Italy.

The man who did steal the Mona Lisa in 1911, Vincenzo Peruggia, was no criminal mastermind: Tired of being treated like a hick foreigner, Peruggia was a tradesman who emigrated to Paris as a teenager, and when he got a job at the Louvre, he recognised how easy it would be to remove and repatriate the great Italian portrait to his home country. Charney explains how lax the security was at the Louvre at the time, outlines the amateur moves of the thief, and details the hapless response of the Parisian police force. It was fascinating for the author to tie in the suspicion that fell on Pablo Picasso (who apparently had commissioned the theft of some ancient Iberian sculptures from the Louvre, revealed around the same time, which would heavily influence his painting), and Charney eventually shares everything that is known of da Vinci’s life and work (he spent much more time as a military engineer than as an artist). I appreciated that Charney explains that there were many inconsistencies in Peruggia’s story (which feeds into conspiracy theories), as well as explaining the inconsistencies around the French government’s tracking of the Mona Lisa during WWII (which really feeds the conspiracy theories), but even the officials from Florence’s Uffizi Museum (to whom Peruggia wanted to give the Mona Lisa after two years of unsuspected possession) had detailed photographs that showed the characteristic “craquelure” (cracks in the paint) present in the surface of the Mona Lisa, and good enough for them seems good enough to me.

Beyond proving that the original Mona Lisa is hanging in the Louvre today, Charney seems to have a secondary purpose in debunking the popular culture image of an art thief as some Thomas Crown/Dr. No gentleman-thief collector of fine art. As he writes, “every year anywhere from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand art objects (20 -30 000 in Italy alone) are reported stolen worldwide”, and this is mostly by criminal gangs and terrorist organisations (Art crime is ranked behind only drug and arms in terms of its value as an international criminal trade commodity. When planning the 9/ 11 attacks, Mohammed Atta tried first to buy a plane by selling looted Afghani antiquities in Germany.) And there’s something philosophically interesting about countless artworks going missing every year to fund criminal activity while the general public only worries about the few works that have made an impression on popular culture: and from Nat King Cole crooning soulfully about his Mona Lisa to Dan Brown’s potboiler (in which he egregiously writes that the Mona Lisa is painted on canvas instead of a poplar panel), no other painting seems to have made this much of an impression on our collective psyches.

So, there is only one Mona Lisa by Leonardo. It is on display at the Louvre. The truth behind it is plenty intriguing, including real, demonstrable secrets hidden beneath its surface — there’s no need to buy into the ooga-booga conspiracy theories.

I have been lucky enough to stand before the glass-encased Mona Lisa at the Louvre twice — once at 18 and once at 50 — and both times, I was stricken in her presence. What I saw was masterful and captivating, and if it ever turned out that what I saw was a fake or a copy, I don’t know if that would downgrade the experience in my memories. Even so: Charney — who is the expert in this — reassures me that there’s no reason to doubt the provenance of this incredible portrait. I am happy to have read this account of its fascinating history (even if some of the “ooga-booga” writing didn’t delight me).

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why is the Mona Lisa the most famous painting in the world?

That’s what art historian, Noah Charney, pursues in this account of the world’s most recognizable painting.

Charney wants his readers to consider that it’s not her enigmatic smile, nor the mystery surrounding her identity, or which Rennaissance painter created her. He wants you to consider that a daring burglary 110 years ago catapulted this painting into stardom - that its theft is what has created its appeal and made it a household name.

August 21, 1911, is the date that changed the trajectory of this painting’s provenance.

Sure, Charney will take you through the history of the painter’s life, her commissioner’s family and life, the real Mona Lisa, and the creation of this work.
Sure, he’ll tell you about what happened to the unfinished work after the artist’s death.
Sure, he’ll tell you about the morning of August 21, 1911.
Sure, he’ll tell you about Picasso and his friend being apprehended for the theft.
Sure, he’ll tell you about the recovery of it, it’s ties to the Nazis, and it’s time in a salt mine.

But his underlying motive is to have you consider WHY.

Why is it the most famous art theft in history?
Why is it among the most examined artworks in the world?
Why do 9.7M visitors flock to the Louvre annually to view it?
Why is it the most famous nonarchitectural man-made object in the world?

This journey to the answer, a surprisingly simple one, is conversationally written like a reader would hear if attending one of the author’s lectures. For those who already know a little of the story, some skimming may be involved. For those who love a mystery, love history and/or appreciate art, this will entice. For those who are interested but know very little, this is a complete story that will provide you with answers.

I was gifted this copy by Rowman & Littlefield and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Chris Lindner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting read. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history of the iconic Mona Lisa. the author shares in the book a comprehensive and engaging history of this iconic piece of art. It is detailed and well researched. As like myself, nearly everyone is familiar with the Mona Lisa, after reading this book, you will have the knowledge and appreciation of this distinctive and well-known masterpiece. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read it.

[Sarah Oakey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pub date 6/2/24

The Thefts of the Mona Lisa by Noah Charney
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5

This was a fantastically researched piece of non-fiction and just what I was in the mood for and a nice option for the #nfpicknmix2024 challenge

I've been to visit the Mona Lisa twice and have found myself digging into a google rabbit hole many a time but Art Historian Noah Charney goes a giant step further leaving no stone unturned in his research of the world famous piece of art. He covers the origins and history of the painting to the forgeries and infamous theft in 1911 (of which Picasso was once a suspect.)
There was occasional ramblings (particularly about Picasso and that seemed to go on for numerous chapters) but all in all it was a fascinating read.

She may have been referred to as small and a little drab but I admit to being obsessed with her and her history, which is nothing short of spell binding 💫

𝔻𝕚𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨:

🖌️She has no eyebrows (although she did originally)

🖌️She wears a Veil

🖌️di Vinci took her to France with him when he moved there, after his death she ended hung on the wall in the Palace of Fontainebleau

🖌️Louis xiv moved her to Versailles

🖌️Napoleon hung her on his bedroom in Tuileries Palace

🖌️She really shot to fame was when she was stolen from Louvre in 1911, people actually queued to see the empty space on the wall where she was once hung

🖌️Pablo Picasso was on the original list of suspects questioned for the theft!

🖌️Shes had acid thrown at her, a rock, spray paint and one woman through a tea cup at her from the Louvre gift shop ...she now sits behind bullet proof glass

🖌️ The Lisa in the portrait is Lisa del Giocondo (Italian pronunciation: [ˈliːza del dʒoˈkondo]; née Gherardini 

💲As of 2021 she's worth 970 million dollars

[Ashley Nunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Rowman & Littlefield Publishing, and author Noah Charney for my advanced copy of this book!


This book is not exactly what I expected when I first requested it. I assumed that this would be a story of the incredibly famous Mona Lisa from beginning to end. However, many sections read more like a history textbook--although the text was highly descriptive, it was dense to get through in some areas. I think that an audiobook might be a little easier to get through, as nonfiction books on audio feel more like an informative podcast.

I like the concept and the topic, but it wasn't my cup of tea. Fans of nonfiction and history will probably enjoy this more than I did. I enjoyed it, but it just didn't reach my expectations.

[Denise O'Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not knowing much about the Mona Lisa in general, I found this book intriguing. The author put art crimes and theories in true perspective for me. I have no doubt that the subject matter was well researched; while knowing that many things are uncertain. Having seen the Mona Lisa in 2018 at the Louvre, I now wish I could go back and “really” look at her with new eyes. The author definitely gave me a greater understanding and appreciation for art and art crimes. Definitely recommend for anyone interested in art, art history and art crime.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished reading a DRC thanks to Edelweiss and Rowan and Littlefield Publishers called The Thefts of the Mona Lisa: on Stealing the World’s Most Famous Painting by Noah Charney. Charney clearly knows of what he writes as he is an internationally-recognized art historian who has specialized in the history of art crime. This book outlines the history behind the interesting legends regarding DaVinci’s masterpiece and its escapades. In the past couple of years I have read two historical fiction novels about the Mona Lisa and its fate in two different situations so this book was very intriguing to me.The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer tells the story of the heist of the painting from the famous Louvre Museum in Paris in 1911 by an Italian man, Vincenzo Peruggia, who it was thought to have stolen the painting in a patriotic gesture to return the masterpiece to its birthplace in Italy after supposedly being looted by Napoleon in the 1800s. Carney dives in with meticulous research to uncover the true facts behind this most infamous heist—bringing up another related story of Picasso becoming the benefactor of some stolen goods from the Louvre around the same time. Fascinating to read the facts behind the fictionalized account.
The Stolen Lady by Laura Morelli was a second historical fiction novel designed to outline what happened to the Mona Lisa during World War ll and the occupation of France. The staff of the Louvre were very aware that Hitler and the Nazis were looting art masterpieces from conquered countries for their own collections and a future museum in Hitler’s name. As the Germans began nearing Paris the staff started packing up the art for safekeeping. The Stolen Lady details one theory of where the Mona Lisa was taken and protected during the years of the war in different castles and museums in southern France. Carney presents information that supports that theory while also presenting another hypothesis of the time that believed the Mona Lisa did fall into enemy hands and was taken to Austria to be stored in a salt mine in Altaussee with many other precious art and artifacts that the Nazis had plundered from around Europe. Evidence was also found supporting this theory and Carney postulates on what most likely happened with the Mona Lisa.

Carney’s book follows DaVinci’s life from his early years through the creation of his masterpiece and how he ended up keeping this painting with him his entire life although it had supposedly been commissioned by the husband of Lisa Gheraradini. He acknowledges the rumors that the Mona Lisa in the Louvre is not the original painting and presents the case for why art historians believe that it is. Everything you could want to know about the history and lore behind this famous masterpiece is discussed in Noah Carney’s book. Clearly I have been bewitched by its stories and found every chapter fascinating. I highly recommend this book to all—art lovers or not because it is such an absorbing read

[Socraticgadfly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Peruggia theft is itself by no means a book-length subject and I had already known about it, as well as the scandalously lax security at the Louvre, etc. The only thing new to me was Picasso suborning, or perhaps actually committing himself, theft of some ancient Iberian sculptures at the same time, and their possible influence on early Cubism, including Las Demoiselles D'Avignon. (Whether Charney overstates the degree of influence or not, I don't know.)

The different versions of the Mona Lisa and what comes from his studio and what might be slightly later duplicates, and what influence he had on studio versions, is also interesting. But, unless one wants to dive deeply into the art criticism world, not a book-length subject itself, and also, not connected in any way to the theft.

The epilogue on how to view art is mildly interesting, yes. But, it's different from both previous subjects and applicable to many other works of art. The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, for example, has both Caravaggio's The Card Sharps and also La Tour's The Cheat with the Ace of Clubs (see my photo album of both them and other iconic Kimbell pieces), and has sometimes displayed them closely together, sometimes further apart. So, depending on closeness or distance, you evaluate the two of them together or separately.

Finally, yes, it's in fairly small type for a modern book, where fonts, and even more, leading, are often inflated. That said, it's still just 132 pages, and certainly (mine a library copy) not worth the list price of $32 or close to it.

[Diana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot say enough about how poorly put together this book was -- and at $24 for the Kindle edition, it is just a rip-off.

The book is extremely redundant, repeating several anecdotes in multiple chapters. Was there even an editor? It reads like a few meager essays thrown together too still some books.

Further, this book is totally dismissive of many facts that I learned when I actually went to see not only the Louvre original, both also the Prado and Isleworth versions.

Conclusions about the Prado being a copy are obvious in person. Contemporaneously painted, likely, perhaps by apprentice. But to dismiss the Isleworth version with just a sentence is shocking. That painting is displayed with very compelling evidence of Leonardo's participation if not sole authorship -- from Raphael's contemporaneous notebook with a sketch of the painting in progress, to the scientific spectrographic analysis of the color layers, to the brushstroke analysis, to the helmet, to the connoisseurship of several experts.

But this was not discussed at all -- clearly Mr Charney didn't bother seeing it. They posit that this is the original and the Louvre version is a later copy. Now that's interesting.

I've read many of my. Charley's books, this is such a disappointment, go for another.

[Tawney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noah Charney sets the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in the context of it’s time. It would have been a big news story in any age, but by 1911 newspapers were plentiful and competing for readers. So when Leonardo’s famous painting was stolen the news was a sensation. Apollinaire and Picasso were suspects and the reason is a story in itself. There were conspiracy theories that sound like today. The Louvre had a lot to answer for, especially when the thief and his method were revealed. It’s fascinating with a sniff of comedy. There is also mystery concerning the whereabouts of Mona Lisa during WWII and Charney covers that also. Thanks to Rowan & Littlefield and Edleweiss for a digital advance copy.

[Sharyn Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a lover of art and a lover of art history, this book will be very informative and interesting to you. I learned many things that I did not know about Mona Lisa or the story of the theft. It reads as a textbook for the most part, with many sources and notes at the end. If you are looking for something more along the lines of historical fiction, this might not be the book for you. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Thea Marlowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gleaned some interesting tidbits. Did not realize the painting was stolen and not returned for 2.5 years. Painting is approximately 2x3 feet only. Saw actual painting in Paris many years ago and it is so small and dark. Not a favorite of mine as I like the more colorful duplicate that one of his apprentices painted. Hard to believe the Italian Louvre contracted to make frames for other art was able to walk out with it, his excuse being it was stolen from Italy, his native country.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally enjoy Noah Charney's work, but in this case Vanished Smile: The Mysterious Theft of the Mona Lisa simply did it better.

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much history on da Vinci and the things that shaped his development as a painter, sculptor, scientist, and inventor is presented. It is a marvelous accounting of his life along with the incidents of art thefts from the Louvre. You will learn in great detail how thefts were accomplished and how lax security all but invited the thefts.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best essay ver read.

5 stars to the writer. Very well docummented the entire story of the theft from the Louvre, all the journey of the Monalisa since the creation up to now days, numbering the thefts and attempts to damage her thru years.

[Dr. Michael Van Hoffman PHD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a huge fan of History, more specifically Art History. However this book was the gateway drug that lead me into my deep fascination with famous artists, forgers and of course mysterious thefts of some of our world's most renowned masterpieces. Highly recommend this book!

[Ernest Barela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. The theft is an incredible story but the events surrounding the story and the many details you learn about the Mona Lisa but this book into the category of one of my favorites. Loved it.

[Steve Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting info on the one real theft. seems to make something out of nothing regarding the Nazi pillage of Europe, but nothing conclusive that the painting left France during WW2.
fortunately, not too long a book, so minimal investment of time.

[John Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read! Learned so much about art history, symbolism, art crimes, and of course, everything related to the theft of Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

[Madeline A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written like a fictional book, unlike any non fiction book I've ever read!

[Mary Mccullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty informative and amusing.

[Corbin Hillam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

[Scott Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first chapter, describing the theft, is a real page-turner. Then the book gets extremely detailed in its account of the aftermath of the theft--too much of a good thing.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted more about the art theft and less about Picasso(?!) stealing some statues from the Louve at around the same time. The Drunk History episode about this was better.

[Keri Letson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent deep dive into the Mona Lisa and one of the most instances of art theft in the world. Thank You to Rowman & Littlefield, Noah Charney, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I love art history and especially art history in relation to art theft, so this book was an amazing read for me. An excellent deep dive into the most famous painting in the world, it's journey through time, and how the most notorious art theft came about.

Sometimes non-fiction can be a labor of love when you read it. A deep dive into the Old Masters can be a complicated read, but Mr. Charney made this one easy! The flow of the journey of the Mona Lisa came together in a way that was wasn't bogged down by every little detail. For an art history layman, it really came together for me and gave me a look into Leonard, the Mona Lisa, and all aspects of the theft and also what happened to art across Europe during World War II. Art enthusiasts who aren't deep dive art scholars will enjoy this one!!

Thanks for the opportunity to review this excellent work!

[SHIRLEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fascinating, well researched history of the Mona Lisa-arguably the most famous painting/portrait in the world was a compelling read. The story begins with an "unhinged" Russian woman who threw a mug at the painting to protest being denied French citizenship. Of course the painting was not ruined because it now sits behind bulletproof glass. This book was originally published to commemorate the famous theft of the painting in 1911, but the author includes many updated references and research sources.
Charney delves into the life of DaVinci including his painting style, his school, travels and of course the production of Mona Lisa and his inventions. In fact, there are at least 60 extant Mona Lisas in existence today!
Much of the book is centered around the 1911 theft by Vincenzo Peruggia. believing that the painting was stolen from Italy by Napoleon. Pablo Picasso was initially believed to be involved because he has commissioned the theft of some Iberian statuettes from the Louvre. He brings us up to the present day, describing WWII and the monument men, The DaVinci Code, and many conspiracy theories surrounding the painting. LAM scans have revealed hidden versions of the painting under the one we see today (which may be a copy) protected by bulletproof glass.
I liked this book and the conversational tone which kept me interested in the story. I learned a good deal of new information and history of Leonardo and Mona Lisa. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and I highly recommend this book.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after hearing Noah Charney speak about it. The book, of course, goes deeper in depth about the thefts and the Mona Lisa itself. The history of Leonardo da Vinci is included in the book. It was interesting to find that he had painted it in France rather in Italy; yet it is considered an Italian painting. it was also interesting to look at the way Peruggia just walked out of the Louvre with the painting with the unknowing help of a Louvre worker. It is also interesting to look at the conflicting stories of where the Mona Lisa actually was during WWII. Of the stories he told about where the Mona Lisa was, according to reports, the one of its being kept beneath a bed in a private home in countryside Italy. This story was never mentioned in this book. This definitely surprised me as it also left me disappointed.
One important change after the theft was the installation of some very important safety precautions. More security was added to the Louvre and that security is constantly being upgraded.
This is an important work to be considered by all.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I was so glad to get this book to review and it does not disappoint! I have a great love for art work, but even more for art history. I also now have an interest in learning more about art crime that I'll have to look into after reading this! Maybe that alone tells you how much I enjoyed this book. I came out of it even more fascinated than when I started. The Thefts of the Mona Lisa has a lot of information about the history of the Mona Lisa that I loved getting to learn and addresses some questions that I loved finding out answers to. This book was captivating the whole way through, and if you're like me I do sincerely believe this would be a worthwhile read. It's not too long and definitely can be read in one evening.

I love Noah Charney's way of writing! I think even a very interesting topic can be boring if the style it's presented to readers in is too bland. I think there's always that fear for me when I pick up any history book. So it was a relief how enjoyable Charney's writing was in my opinion. This was my first time reading anything he's written but I don't think it'll be my last. He really did a great job and I appreciate how well-researched and well-written The Thefts of the Mona Lisa is!

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

Great read about the Mona Lisa's history. Very interesting and thoroughly examined the famous theft, as well as briefly tackles some of the conspiracies surrounding the artwork.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Protesters are today hurling tomato soup at the world's most famous painting. The Mona Lisa remains an enigma, a source of fascination in 2024. Charney devotes chapters to the Mona Lisa's provenance, Leonardo's biography, painting techniques employed at the time of its creation, and the "most famous heist in history" itself in 1911.

He lost me with the chapter "When Picasso Stole the Mona Lisa". That chapter takes up almost 25% of the bulk of the book (my estimate, the ARC doesn't contain page numbers). And that chapter is a frustrating detour, a gigantic left turn and back again, a detour that had little to do with the theft of 1911, other than to demonstrate the lax security at the Louvre at the time and the author's knowledge of art crime (his specialty). The chapter felt like a bunch of filler.

Add to this the numerous mentions of the Ghent Alterpiece (another subject of the author's expertise, more filler), the disdain for the Dan Brown "effect" (come on, it's very entertaining fiction), the statement that the normal viewer can't "see" the Mona Lisa because they're just there to check an item off their bucket list...I found the book condescending and not that compelling.

My thanks to NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield for the ARC.