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.

This is a re-issue of a previous title, which includes a good combination of history and biography. It revolves mainly around the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa by an Italian, who thought the painting had been stolen from Italy by Napoleon (it hadn’t) and who imagined he would be seen as a hero for returning it (he wasn’t – although France did allow Italy to exhibit the stolen painting before returning it).

In some ways, this is the story of a heist, with the painting swiped and others, including Pablo Picasso, accused of the theft. However, alongside this story, there is also a biography of Leonardo da Vinci, a really interesting background of the Mona Lisa (loosely translated as ‘Milady Lisa,’) the wife of a Florentine nobleman, as well as later events, including Paris under Nazi occupation.

This is a tale of possible copies, con-men and conspirators, which is sure to appeal to history, as well as art lovers. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

I have to start off by saying I am not an art fanatic. I don’t study art, I do not own one book of artwork, and art museums are fairly low on my must-see list. However, I do love and appreciate history and one thing the Mona Lisa has is a rich history. Although I’ve known about Mona Lisa and have seen her all my life, what I know about her comes from works of fiction, most notably The Da Vinci Code. This book is a gift for art novices like me. It gives context to something we have taken for granted, like an acquaintance we’ve had for years but have never bothered to really get to know. Getting to know the Mona Lisa is everything a history buff could ask for. Her creation and life have been full and Charney shows us that her true story is better than fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield for providing me with a copy of this book.

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.

This book explores the fascinating history of the thefts of Leonardo da Vinci's iconic painting, the Mona Lisa.

Charney's meticulous research and engaging storytelling bring to life the audacious individuals who sought to possess this iconic masterpiece for various motivations. He sheds light on the art world's underbelly and the mysterious allure of the Mona Lisa, making it a fascinating read for both art enthusiasts and those interested in true crime.

Very fascinating. The old girl has been through a lot but keeps on....smiling. Amazing history, lots of art personnage history I didn't know. Really exciting for an...old...story. Really good!