Estimated Value: $1.5 Million (At the Time of Theft)



On the morning of August 21, 1911, the Mona Lisa—arguably the most famous painting of all time—was stolen from the Louvre. The thief acted quickly, when no guards were around, and nobody even noticed until the next day. When the crime was finally discovered, the museum closed, French borders were sealed and all departing ships and trains were searched.



A French poet came under suspicion and was even arrested. He tried to implicate his friend, Pablo Picasso, but both were let go. It wasn’t until two years later than the painting was finally discovered. It turned out that an Louvre employee hid it in a broom closet and walked out with after after closing hours. And why did he steal it? Because he believed the painting should be returned to Italy and displayed in an Italian Museum. He served six months in jail for the crime.