The theft happened in 1911 when an Italian named Vincenzo Perugia was hired by an Argentinian con man named Eduardo del Valfierno. Perugia previously worked at the Louvre and still had his smock. On the day of the theft, he hid in a closet, came out in the early hours, stuffed the Mona Lisa under his smock and walked out. He took the Mona Lisa to his house and hid it under the stove and waited for Valfierno to contact him but he never did. Apparently, Valfierno just wanted the theft news out to the world so he can sell fake Mona Lisas. He was able to sell 6 fakes and each of the buyers believed that it was the genuine article.
As for Perugia who had the real Mona Lisa, he waited for 2 years before he tried selling it to an art dealer but got caught. During his trial, he claimed that he stole the painting because it hurt his Italian pride to see it in France. Many viewed him as a hero and the court gave him a short sentence.
Interesting story. Just what I needed as I am about to start painting another monsterpiece… er, masterpiece which no one will ever attempt to steal even when left at the sidewalk! Haha…
