{"id":11455,"date":"2023-03-23T17:15:44","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T21:15:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cf-staging.takewalks.com\/blog2\/?p=11455"},"modified":"2025-07-24T11:28:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T15:28:50","slug":"why-they-moved-the-mona-lisa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/why-they-moved-the-mona-lisa","title":{"rendered":"Why They Moved the Mona Lisa: Heists, Heritage, &amp; History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Every day, tens of thousands of people wait in line at the Louvre for a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/paris-tours\/louvre-tour-mona-lisa\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>moment with the Mona Lisa<\/strong><\/a>. And every day, tens of thousands of people commit her iconic smile to memory, save it to their camera roll, or share it on social media. For many, they secure <strong>museum tickets<\/strong> in advance as part of the experience, ensuring a smoother entry to one of the most famous <strong>Paris attractions<\/strong>. The journey into the Louvre often begins at the striking <strong>Louvre Pyramid<\/strong>, where visitors gather from around the globe to witness the very heart of <strong>Renaissance art<\/strong> and immerse themselves in centuries of <strong>art history<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>summer 2019<\/strong>, however, this endeavor became somewhat trickier when the museum decided to move Da Vinci\u2019s famous masterpiece into the Medici Gallery\u2014marking the first time staff relocated it in 14 years. This moved Mona Lisa became the central attraction in its new temporary home, drawing crowds who were eager to see not only the iconic portrait, but also the unique context provided by the Medici Gallery. For many visitors, tracking down the moved Mona Lisa became an unexpected adventure within the labyrinthine halls of the Louvre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Louvre_Mona-Lisa-only-wide_SM-copy.jpg\" alt=\"The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci hangs behind protective glass at the Louvre, displayed on a beige wall with barriers.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Louvre Museum has a world-renowned collection of paintings, including the iconic Mona Lisa, Liberty Leading the People, and The Raft of the Medusa, among numerous others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #443d47;color:#443d47\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #443d47;color:#443d47\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/why-they-moved-the-mona-lisa\/#When_will_the_Mona_Lisa_go_back_to_its_original_location\" title=\"When will the Mona Lisa go back to its original location?\">When will the Mona Lisa go back to its original location?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/why-they-moved-the-mona-lisa\/#Who_owns_the_Mona_Lisa\" title=\"Who owns the Mona Lisa?\">Who owns the Mona Lisa?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/why-they-moved-the-mona-lisa\/#The_Mona_Lisa_heist\" title=\"The Mona Lisa heist\">The Mona Lisa heist<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/why-they-moved-the-mona-lisa\/#From_courtrooms_to_cultural_campaigns\" title=\"From courtrooms to cultural campaigns\">From courtrooms to cultural campaigns<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/why-they-moved-the-mona-lisa\/#The_latest_Mona_Lisa_relocation\" title=\"The latest Mona Lisa relocation\">The latest Mona Lisa relocation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/why-they-moved-the-mona-lisa\/#FAQ_Visiting_the_Mona_Lisa_and_the_Louvre\" title=\"FAQ: Visiting the Mona Lisa and the Louvre\">FAQ: Visiting the Mona Lisa and the Louvre<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_will_the_Mona_Lisa_go_back_to_its_original_location\"><\/span>When will the Mona Lisa go back to its original location?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/paris-tours\/louvre-museum-tour-tickets\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Mona Lisa<\/a> found itself at the epicenter of a publicity storm in July 2019, after staff moved it from the Louvre\u2019s <em>Salle des \u00c9tats<\/em> to its <em>Galerie M\u00e9dicis.<\/em> They did this simply to facilitate the former\u2019s renovation ahead of an <strong>exhibition in honour of the 500th anniversary of Da Vinci\u2019s death<\/strong> in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since July, headlines have documented the confusion the move caused among visitors to The Louvre, which welcomes an average of 30,000 guests a day. Consequently, the Mona Lisa is set to <strong>return to its original spot in mid-October<\/strong>. As crowds jostle today to get a glimpse at what many consider the world\u2019s most enigmatic smile, onlookers remember that Mona Lisa\u2019s serene expression belies the drama which has surrounded her for centuries. The moved Mona Lisa became a symbol of both the painting\u2019s enduring allure and the practical challenges of preserving a masterpiece amid ongoing museum renovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, this isn\u2019t the first time the painting\u2019s relocation has caused a bit of a ruckus. In fact, this summer\u2019s move calls to mind an interesting dispute over ownership, which has played out between two nations for years.<br><strong>Read more: <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/things-to-see-in-the-louvre\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Top 13 Things to See at The Louvre<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Walks_Complete-Louvre-WEB-0004-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_owns_the_Mona_Lisa\"><\/span><strong>Who owns the Mona Lisa?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From a legal standpoint, the French government owns the Mona Lisa. Figuratively, however, the answer actually depends on who you ask\u2014and on which side of the French\/Italian border they might stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Notably, the Mona Lisa is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>A portrait of an Italian woman named Lisa Gherardini, commissioned by her husband Francesco del Giocondo during the Italian Renaissance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Painted by Da Vinci, who was born in Italy but died in France 67 years later<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supposedly gifted by Da Vinci to his friend King Francois I, who initially housed the portrait in the Palace of Versailles before moving it to the Louvre<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, the cultural conundrum persists. Many assert that this confirms France\u2019s ownership\u2014especially since the Louvre stated that Da Vinci sold the painting to the king. However, those who share a birthplace with Da Vinci argue that the Mona Lisa remains an undeniable part of Italian history, created by an Italian for an Italian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the global realm to which the painting has been elevated, the issue of heritage may seem trivial. Nevertheless, it actually motivated one of the <strong>most infamous art robberies of the 20th century<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read more: <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/facts-about-the-eiffel-tower\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>7 Things You Never Knew About the Eiffel Tower<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/The-Louvre-Pyramid-1024x629.png\" alt=\"Several people walk through the Louvre courtyard in Paris at sunset, silhouetted against the sky near the glass pyramid entrance.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Mona_Lisa_heist\"><\/span><strong>The Mona Lisa heist<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In August 1911, Vincenzo Peruggio, an Italian man, stole the half-length portrait from the Louvre. After he concealed the painting in his Parisian home for two years, he returned to Italy with it, approached a gallery in Florence, and promptly blew his cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After two years of police work and considerable international publicity, the hunt for the painting ended. The court brought Peruggio forward, and he reportedly argued that <strong>the motivation for his crime was patriotic<\/strong>. He subsequently served seven months of a 12-month sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, over 100 years on from Peruggio\u2019s \u2018crime of patriotism\u2019, the debate over who can claim ownership of the painting continues to rumble on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read more: <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/conciergerie-tour-paris\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Why You Need to Take a Conciergerie Tour in Paris<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Walks_Complete-Louvre-WEB-0018-1024x694.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Louvre Pyramid<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"From_courtrooms_to_cultural_campaigns\"><\/span><strong>From courtrooms to cultural campaigns<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the original dispute played out in a courtroom, today\u2019s manifestation of the conflict appears in cultural campaigns and online spats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, in 2011, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/culture\/art\/art-news\/8599588\/Attempt-to-return-Mona-Lisa-to-Italy-dismissed.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Telegraph<\/em><\/a> reported on art historian Silvano Vinceti\u2019s efforts to raise 100,000 signatures by 2013 in support of the return of the painting to Italy. The campaign failed, as Vincent Pomarede of the Louvre argued that \u201cany attempt to move the painting would cause incalculable damage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One year later, a petition containing more than 150,000 signatures <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/europe\/we-want-our-masterpiece-back-italians-petition-france-to-return-mona-lisa-to-florence-8117931.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">called on the Louvre<\/a> to return the Mona Lisa to Florence, aiming to reinstate the painting in the Uffizi Gallery. The National Committee for Historical, Cultural and Environmental Heritage made a formal\u2014but ultimately unsuccessful\u2014request to France\u2019s Culture Minister at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cultural campaigns and pop culture continue to reignite this debate. For instance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>George Clooney, during a 2014 promotional tour for his film <em>The Monuments Men<\/em>, encouraged France to return the portrait to Italy, which drew further attention to the friction between the two nations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2018, the Louvre <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MuseeLouvre\/status\/1018539239020154880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1018539239020154880&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.sky.com%2Fstory%2Fmona-lisa-frown-italians-furious-as-louvre-frenchifies-the-mona-lisa-11439380\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tweeted<\/a> a photoshopped image of the Mona Lisa wearing the French football strip after France\u2019s World Cup win, which sparked outrage among Italian fans.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Naturally, alternative versions of the image quickly began circulating online, with irate Italians editing the painting to illustrate Mona Lisa\u2019s supposed support of the Italian football team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ognvdtritzg-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"people gathering near Monalisa painting\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>People from all over the world visit the Mona Lisa, and during the period of the moved Mona Lisa, the painting\u2019s new placement became a trending topic, sparking both curiosity and debate. For some, the journey to find the moved Mona Lisa inside the Medici Gallery was an unforgettable twist in their Louvre visit, while for others, it raised questions about how the movement of masterpieces shapes our understanding of art and heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_latest_Mona_Lisa_relocation\"><\/span><strong>The latest Mona Lisa relocation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Courtrooms, campaigns, and Clooney aside, the most recent relocation has stirred up further contention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, a recent article in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/news\/world\/europe\/face-to-face-with-mona-lisa-the-words-translyvanian-vampire-flash-through-my-brain-1.3985310\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Irish Times<\/em><\/a> reminds us that\u2014for many people\u2014the heritage issue still runs deep. One Italian visitor asserted: \u201cThey stole her. She should be in Florence! It\u2019s not right we have to pay to see our history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A security guard countered, \u201cLeonardo gave her to Francois, so she\u2019s French now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, is the Mona Lisa now woven into the fabric of French national heritage or does she remain inextricably linked with Italian culture? Which country can lay claim: the one in which she was created or the one in which she resides?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the Mona Lisa will soon return to the <em>Salle des \u00c9tats<\/em>, many maintain her relocation should be an international one. The saga of the moved Mona Lisa leaves a lasting impression, reminding us that even the world\u2019s most celebrated artworks are subject to change, both in location and in meaning. As the debate continues, the tale of the moved Mona Lisa adds yet another intriguing chapter to the painting\u2019s extraordinary story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, where do you stand on it? Let us know in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/1440-Paris_PIAD-Eiffel-Tower-0014resize-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The Eiffel Tower rises above trees and lampposts in Paris, viewed from below against a clear sky with scattered clouds.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Eiffel Tower was built as the entrance arch to the 1889 World&#8217;s Fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ_Visiting_the_Mona_Lisa_and_the_Louvre\"><\/span><strong>FAQ: Visiting the Mona Lisa and the Louvre<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How do I buy museum tickets to see the Mona Lisa?<\/strong><br>You can purchase museum tickets to the Louvre online via the Louvre\u2019s official website or at the entrance. Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak seasons, to avoid long waits at the Louvre Pyramid and ensure you\u2019ll have time to enjoy the museum\u2019s top Paris attractions, including the Mona Lisa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where inside the Louvre is the Mona Lisa displayed?<\/strong><br>The Mona Lisa is typically exhibited in the Salle des \u00c9tats, which is one of the largest rooms in the Louvre and a highlight for fans of Renaissance art. Temporary relocations, such as the move to the Medici Gallery in 2019, are rare and usually related to renovations or special exhibitions. If you were one of the lucky visitors during the period of the moved Mona Lisa, you experienced a rare moment in Louvre history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is the best time to visit the Louvre for a less crowded experience?<\/strong><br>To avoid the largest crowds, visit the Louvre early in the morning or during late evening hours on days when the museum offers extended opening times. Weekdays outside of school holidays also tend to be quieter, giving you more space and time to appreciate masterpieces and explore the rich art history of the museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is the Louvre Pyramid the main entrance for all visitors?<\/strong><br>Yes, the Louvre Pyramid is the most iconic and commonly used entrance for visitors. It\u2019s especially popular among first-timers and those seeking photos, but alternative entrances may be available during busy periods or for ticket holders with special access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why is the Mona Lisa considered so important in art history?<\/strong><br>The Mona Lisa captivates art lovers for several reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Leonardo da Vinci painted the portrait using masterful technique, blending realism with subtle, enigmatic expression.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The painting\u2019s pivotal role in Renaissance art has influenced generations of artists.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It remains one of the world\u2019s most recognizable and studied works of art.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>PSST! Navigating the Louvre can be difficult. If you want to see the best of the collection, check out our <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/paris-tours\/louvre-museum-tour-tickets\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Louvre Highlights Tour<\/em><\/a><em>\u2014featuring the aforementioned Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> &#8230; <a title=\"Why They Moved the Mona Lisa: Heists, Heritage, &amp; History\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/why-they-moved-the-mona-lisa\" aria-label=\"More on Why They Moved the Mona Lisa: Heists, Heritage, &amp; History\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11456,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[624],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[694],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why They Moved the Mona Lisa: Heists, Heritage, &amp; History<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Which country can lay claim to the Da Vinci masterpiece? 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