SNAFU with Ed Helms S4E11: Sophia Bush and the Mona Lisa Heist
Dec 17, 2025
Sophia Bush, an actress and passionate activist known for her civic engagement, joins Ed Helms to dive into the intriguing 1911 heist of the Mona Lisa. They explore how Bush’s advocacy work intertwines with her passion for history. The conversation highlights the chaos of the investigation, the surprising suspects, and the eventual recovery of the iconic painting. They also reflect on the Mona Lisa's surge in fame post-theft and discuss the ethics surrounding cultural repatriation. It's a delightful mix of art, history, and advocacy!
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Private Royal History Shaped Public Fascination
- The Mona Lisa moved through royal private spaces for centuries before becoming public in the Louvre in 1804.
- Its institutional history shaped perceptions that later amplified public fascination after the theft.
Handyman Stole Mona Lisa And Hid It
- Vincenzo Perugia, a Louvre handyman, hid the Mona Lisa in a trunk and walked it out under a smock on a Monday cleaning day.
- He later kept it for years in Paris before trying to sell it to Italians claiming patriotic motives.
Insider Knowledge Enabled The Theft
- Perugia helped build the Mona Lisa's glass case and knew exactly how to remove the painting without damage.
- He blended in wearing a workman's smock and even got help from a Louvre plumber to exit the building.