The Man Who Stole a Smile episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 14, 2026 · 6 MIN

The Man Who Stole a Smile

from The Vault · host The Vault by Crimes from Europe

In 1911, a handyman hid overnight in the Louvre, tucked the Mona Lisa under his jacket, and walked out. He kept it under his bed for two years. The police questioned Picasso. The real thief was filing fingerprints away.

In 1911, a handyman hid overnight in the Louvre, tucked the Mona Lisa under his jacket, and walked out. He kept it under his bed for two years. The police questioned Picasso. The real thief was filing fingerprints away.

NOW PLAYING

The Man Who Stole a Smile

0:00 6:05

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Vault?

This episode is 6 minutes long.

When was this The Vault episode published?

This episode was published on April 14, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In 1911, a handyman hid overnight in the Louvre, tucked the Mona Lisa under his jacket, and walked out. He kept it under his bed for two years. The police questioned Picasso. The real thief was filing fingerprints away.

Can I download this The Vault episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!