Mona Lisa: A Timeline of Her Travails

The Mona Lisa, one of the most famous pieces of art in the world, had an unprecedented boost in fame 100 years ago when it was stolen from the Louvre. To mark this special anniversary, Italian officials plan to collect 100,000 signatures asking the Louvre to allow the painting to be displayed in Florence in 2013, The Associated Press reports.

A brief history of the painting's journey follows.

1503-1519: Mona Lisa created.

Leonardo Da Vinci begins painting the Mona Lisa. He continued to work on this piece for several years.

May 2, 1519, Leonardo da Vinci dies

His estate is purchased by King Francois I for the French royal collection. This legal transfer includes the Mona Lisa. A misunderstanding regarding this fact led to the theft in 1911.

Aug. 21, 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen

The usual guard of the Salon Carre was home because one of his children had the measles. His replacement admitted to leaving his post for a cigarette break.

Aug. 22, 1911, theft discovered

The theft of the Mona Lisa is discovered by French painter Louis Beroud.

Aug. 22, 1911, frame found

An hour after the search began, Mona Lisa's frame and plate of glass are found lying in a staircase. The Louvre was closed for an entire week to aid the investigation.

April 14, 1912, Titanic sinks

The Titanic sinks and shifts the world's attention away from the kidnapped Mona Lisa.

Dec. 10, 1913, Mona Lisa found

Vincenzo Peruggia is arrested for the theft of the Mona Lisa and sent to jail to await trial. Peruggia was proclaimed an Italian patriot and served a short sentence.

December 1913, Mona Lisa on display in Italy

Mona Lisa is displayed at the Uffizi, is sent on a tour of the museums of Italy before being sent back to France.

Jan. 4, 1914, Mona Lisa back at the Louvre

The Mona Lisa is set in a new place in the Louvre's Salon Carr.

Aug. 27, 1939, Mona Lisa goes in hiding

The Mona Lisa, or a decoy, is placed in a crate for protection during World War II. The crate is sent among a series of castles to keep the painting out of Nazi hands.

Dec. 12, 1945, stolen by Nazis

The Nazis reportedly steal the Mona Lisa from Montal. A document states that 80 wagons of art and cultural objects had been taken to the Alt Aussee salt mine.

June 16, 1945, Mona Lisa at the Louvre

The Louvre lists the Mona Lisa as being safely returned and on display.

1956 The Mona Lisa is assaulted

Sprayed with acid, the painting was damaged and spent several months in the conservation studio of the Louvre. The same year, a Bolivian man threw a stone at the painting which struck right under Mona Lisa's left elbow.

1963 Mona Lisa tours the United States

Mona Lisa visits the United States for seven weeks. The painting was on display at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and then at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

1974 Mona Lisa sent to Tokyo and Moscow

While on tour, the Mona Lisa is under bulletproof glass, which proved to be a lifesaver for the painting.

April 1974 Mona Lisa Sprayed with paint

While in the Tokyo National Museum, a handicapped woman sprays red paint at the painting. She was apparently upset over the museum's policy regarding handicapped visitors.

Aug. 2, 2009, Mona Lisa hit with mug

At the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, a Russian woman throws a terra cotta mug at the Mona Lisa. The mug shattered against the bulletproof glass without harming the painting.