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Moments of Wonder's avatar

In fact Peruggia had planned a get rich scheme from the beginning. I wrote two stories about this!

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Historia Minuta's avatar

Very interesting. I'd be curious to read your two stories about this - do you have the links?

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Moments of Wonder's avatar

Yes, with pleasure. The first one is about the theft and fame, where I translated French newspapers and Peruggia's letter to his dad (my Italian is basic):

https://artjourneycurator.substack.com/p/mona-lisa-consumed-by-fame

The second story is why the Mona Lisa is, according to Vasari, one of only three masterpieces possessing the 'terribilita'

https://artjourneycurator.substack.com/p/mona-lisa-woman-behind-bulletproof-glass

I welcome your feedback. Thank you for reading these.

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Javier Murillo Campos's avatar

We've used this wonderful text to practice English reading skills at my Uni —thanks a lot for this and God bless you.

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Historia Minuta's avatar

It’s a pleasure and an honor, Javier. Thank you for your words.

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Rose Marie Szulc's avatar

A weeping woman Picasso was stolen from the National Gallery of Victoria back in the 80's. Many an innocent artist was permanently placed under suspicion as a result. Their careers were badly affected also.

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Historia Minuta's avatar

Thank you for pointing out this episode, which I didn’t know. I’ve read someting about it and my impression is that Peruggia’s theft was much more ‘naive’… and therefore even more incredible. There are resources in Italian that tell the history of his trial and also about his psychological profile. In the case of Apollinaire and Picasso, fortunately, their fame was not harmed by the false accusations.

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Portia's avatar

More of a show of conceptual art than a theft, isn't it?

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Historia Minuta's avatar

Italians do it better ;-)

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