In this captivating narrative, author Steve Sheinkin invites readers into the world of art and crime with his book, "The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity." This isn't just any art book; it's a thrilling account of one of the most audacious heists in history, detailing how the Mona Lisa, painted by the brilliant Leonardo da Vinci, was stolen from the Louvre on a hot August day in Paris over a century ago.
As the news spread, the Louvre's director was faced with chaos when a guard burst into his office declaring, "La Joconde, c’est partie!" In the aftermath of the theft, theories abounded. Who could be behind such an ambitious crime? Was it a well-organized gang, an art lover with deep pockets, or perhaps the young Spanish artist Pablo Picasso himself, who was on the brink of revolutionizing the art world?
Set against the vibrant backdrop of turn-of-the-century Paris, the book explores the lives of infamous thieves and detectives, providing a vivid glimpse into a time of upheaval and extraordinary artistic innovation. It unravels the secrets of the Mona Lisa, a painting that, surprisingly, was never meant to exist in the way it does today.
Beautifully illustrated with striking black-and-white images throughout, this award-winning title has garnered accolades from numerous prestigious sources, including the Sibert Medal and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. It's been hailed as one of the best books of the year by respected publications such as Publishers Weekly and NPR.
Join Sheinkin on a rollercoaster ride through art history, crime, and culture, and discover why the Mona Lisa’s legacy is both enigmatic and essential. This book and its narrative promise to be as captivating as the painting itself.
