EP 393: Paris History Avec a Hemingway (Mona Lisa History Part 3)

In part 3 of our series on the Mona Lisa we explore a little deeper on who exactly the thief was and the woman portrayed in the portrait. 

Who is Lisa del Giocondo? It’s hard to even imagine that she was a real person outside the poplar panel she was painted on. Born on June 15, 1479 in Florence she married at 15 years old and at 24 was seated in front of Leonardo da Vinci and the rest is as we say, history. 

Commissioned by her wealthy husband Francesco who was later sent to prison for his involvement with the Medici family. Leonardo was never paid for the painting and kept it with him until his death. Lisa never saw the unfinished painting at the time and died three years after her husband on July 15, 1542 never knowing the phenomenon she would become. 

As for the thief, Vincenzo Peruggia was born October 8, 1881 in Dumenza in the north of Italy and would become the most famous man in the world until World War I. 

Working at the age of twelve in Milan painting houses he became quite sick with lead poisoning that he would later say was the reason he made such a bold move in stealing the Mona Lisa. In 1908 he moved to Paris and it was the job at the Gobier company that brought him in front of the Italian masters of the Louvre.  

From August 20, 1911 to December 13, 1913 he lived a quiet life with the Mona Lisa hidden under his stove. After his arrest he was worshiped by Italians for his brave act and received a slap on the wrist and a brief visit to prison. 

In 1923 he returned to the Louvre with his new wife and stood in front of Lisa del Giocondo  no doubt sharing the exciting tale that he often changed. 

Listen to the full story now 

For more info and photos in the episode guide here   

Listen to part one in the tale of the Mona Lisa here     

Listen to part two and the story of her recovery here          

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