The only reason the Mona Lisa is famous is because it was stolen. Before that it was just considered a painting representative of it's time.

It seems they had no window or glass sensors on those second story windows. A basic security mistake to assume thieves can't somehow get to your upper floors.

When we lived in LA many of the break-ins were through second story balconies and the thieves correctly assumed that the owners skipped the upstairs door/window sensors and motion sensors when paying for their system. Our security guy recommended all floors be treated the same and we went with his proposal.

Reading about the theft reminded me a little of the Ocean's 8 movie. (Spoiler!) In the movie, the thieves break apart the antique jewelry to steal it and sell it. It sounds like experts expect that the real Louvre thieves would have similarly broken apart these historical pieces in order to sell them and likely are related to money laundering. It's sad to think of these works of art are likely gone forever and can never be recovered.

Pal, agree completely. I never understood what all the fuss was about with that very unbecoming portrait. DaVinci must have despised the subject.

Two suspects arrested. LINK

Also this related viral moment and story LINK

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The part that was most shocking for me was the Crown of Empress Eugénie found in a gutter!! How is that a thing?

@palimpsest first time I saw the Mina Lisa was in Summer 1987. Before the lower level and glass pyramid. It was hung in a corner of the room and we just walked right up to it. Not my favorite painting for sure.

Instagram post by the German maker of the lift that was used. 😂

Translation: When you need to move fast, The Böcker Agilo transports your treasures weighing up to 400kg at 42m/min - quiet as a whisper.

@1929Spanish-GW - different topic for a different post, but when are you posting your trip report? I’m looking forward to hearing about it!

Well, I got back and my BIL had passed away. I’ve essentially forgotten the trip. But I’ll come back and report in a bit.

Oh, Spanish, how awful. Please accept my condolences.

Spanish I'm so sorry. My condolences.

Sorry to hear that, @1929Spanish-GW. My sympathies to you and your family.

1929 Spanish, I am so sorry to hear this. He must have been young!

Thanks everyone…didn’t want to deril this post. Please continue the Louvre discussion.

Very sorry to hear this Spanish. My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your husband’s brother. ❤️

There is something kind of romantically daring about a theft from a museum, not that Im condoning it. There was a movie called Topkapi about stealing a jewel encrusted sword from the Topkapi Museum. The thieves were very daring.

An interesting book is The Art Thief. That thief was complusie about his thefts and stole to add to his own collection rather than to sell it.

So sorry, Spanish, my sympathies to you and your family.