Julian Crowley
10. Yves Chaudron
Original Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is perhaps the most instantly recognizable piece of art in existence. In 1911 the famous portrait of an unknown woman was stolen, and when the culprit, Vincenzo Peruggia, was captured, he maintained that he believed the painting should be housed in Italy. However, it seems that it was less patriotism and more native greed and the desire for profit that motivated the crime. According to one theory, an Argentinian had arranged for six sales of the “original” Mona Lisa to buyers who would in fact each receive forgeries painted by Yves Chaudron. It’s hard to feel sorry for such buyers; after all – caveat emptor.
