418 - Assume It's A Masterpiece
This episode delves into two high-profile cases of violence and theft that captured global attention. First, the tragic murder of US Army soldier Vanessa Guillen, who faced sexual harassment in the military, sparked a reform movement and new federal laws addressing the pervasive issue of assault in the armed forces.
Second, the hosts examine the notorious 1911 theft of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa from the Louvre. This infamous crime ironically catapulted the painting into worldwide fame, turning it into one of the most recognizable artworks today. Both cases, though vastly different, had far-reaching consequences that continue to reverberate today.
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The murder of Vanessa Guillen in the US military
The case of Vanessa Guillen, a young army weapons mechanic stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, underscores the issues of sexual harassment and violence in the US military, particularly affecting women of color. Vanessa aspired to serve in the military from a young age, but once enlisted, she faced sexual harassment and abuse, a common yet often unaddressed problem within the ranks. In April 2020, fellow soldier Aaron Robinson murdered Vanessa, with his girlfriend assisting in disposing of her body. Vanessa's family, with the help of lawyer Natalie Kawam, spearheaded searches and protests to bring attention to her case. The circumstances of her death catalyzed a widespread movement for military reform, marked by the hashtag #IAmVanessaGuillen, and led to the establishment of new federal laws such as the I am Vanessa Guillen Act, which provides protections for military members reporting harassment or assault and mandates independent investigations.
The theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre museum in 1911
Before its theft, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa was not particularly well-known to the general public, although it was considered a masterpiece by some art scholars. However, in 1911, the painting's fame escalated when Vincenzo Perugia, an Italian handyman familiar with the Louvre's security due to his work installing glass cases, successfully stole it. Despite the Louvre's lax security measures, it took two years before Perugia attempted to sell the painting in Italy, ultimately leading to his apprehension. The theft of the Mona Lisa created an international sensation, and upon its return, the artwork surged in popularity, becoming an iconic piece that now draws millions to the Louvre. Ironically, Perugia served only a brief seven-month sentence, with many in Italy considering him a hero for attempting to return the painting to his homeland.
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Clarifications
- Fort Hood, located in Texas, is one of the largest military installations in the world. It is a major Army post where soldiers are trained and stationed. The base has a significant history and plays a crucial role in the U.S. military's operations and training programs.
- The I am Vanessa Guillen Act is a federal law aimed at addressing issues of sexual harassment and assault in the military. It provides protections for service members who report such incidents and mandates independent investigations to ensure accountability. The Act was inspired by the case of Vanessa Guillen, a soldier who was murdered after facing harassment, sparking a movement for military reform. It seeks to improve the handling of sexual misconduct cases within the military and protect the rights of those who come forward with complaints.
- Vincenzo Peruggia was an Italian museum worker who famously stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre Museum in Paris in 1911. He took advantage of his knowledge of the museum's layout and security measures to carry out the theft. Peruggia's actions sparked international attention and elevated the Mona Lisa's fame. Despite his theft being significant, he served only a short prison sentence.
- The Louvre Museum is housed within the Louvre Palace in Paris, France. Originally a royal residence, the palace now serves as a renowned museum housing a vast collection of art and artifacts. The museum is famous for its diverse exhibits, including the iconic painting of the Mona Lisa. The Louvre is one of the world's largest and most visited museums.
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The murder of Vanessa Guillen in the US military
The discussion highlights Vanessa Guillen’s tragic murder, the Guillen family’s crusade for justice, and the consequential discussions about violence and harassment suffered by women, particularly women of color, in the US military.
Vanessa knew she wanted to join the military at a young age
From the age of ten, Vanessa Guillen felt a strong calling to join the army and followed through with this ambition by becoming a weapons mechanic stationed at Fort Hood in Texas.
Vanessa encountered sexual harassment and abuse at Fort Hood and feared reporting it
Vanessa was no stranger to the challenges faced by many service members at Fort Hood, a base with a notoriety for sexual violence and misconduct. She personally experienced sexual harassment and abuse but hesitated to report these incidents. Vanessa's mother, Gloria, was informed by Vanessa about being sexually harassed by a Sergeant at Fort Hood, which went unreported due to fears that such complaints were often met with ridicule or disbelief. Despite 7,825 formal reports of sexual assault in the military in 2019 and estimates of even higher unreported instances, these concerns were often ignored.
Vanessa was murdered by a fellow soldier at Fort Hood
After Vanessa Guillen did not respond to calls and texts from her fiancé, Juan Cruz, on April 22, 2020, it was clear something was amiss. Aaron Robinson, a fellow soldier at Fort Hood, was identified as the last person to have seen Vanessa after she agreed to help him with weaponry work. Robinson brutally murdered Vanessa and solicited the help of his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, to dismember and dispose of her body near the Leon River—a location corroborated by phone records. This catastrophic event and the subsequent investigation highlighted the issue of sexual harassment and misconduct within the military's ranks, as investigators found that Vanessa had been harassed by multiple colleagues.
Vanessa's family advocated relentlessly for more information and justice after her disappearance
Family members and loved ones of Vanessa Guillen, distraught and frustrated with a lack of cooperation and transparency from military police, took matters into their own hands. They initiated their own investigation with the help of lawyer Natalie Kawam and reached out to search groups, utilized social media for awareness, and protested in front of Fort Hood demanding justice and respect for Vanessa and other service members experiencing harassment and violence.
A movement for reform in the military inspired by Vane ...
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The murder of Vanessa Guillen in the US military
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Clarifications
- Fort Hood, a U.S. military base in Texas, gained notoriety for its high rates of sexual violence and misconduct, including cases of harassment, assault, and abuse reported by service members. The base faced criticism for its handling of such incidents, with concerns raised about a culture that discouraged reporting and accountability for perpetrators. The prevalence of these issues at Fort Hood sparked national attention and calls for reform within the military to address systemic problems related to sexual violence and misconduct. The case of Vanessa Guillen brought further scrutiny to the base's environment and the treatment of service members who experienced harassment and abuse.
- Vanessa Guillen was murdered by a fellow soldier named Aaron Robinson at Fort Hood. Robinson, after Vanessa went missing, was identified as the last person to have seen her. He solicited the help of his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, to dismember and dispose of Vanessa's body near the Leon River. The investigation revealed that Vanessa had been harassed by multiple colleagues at the military base.
- The I am Vanessa Guillen Act, included in the National Defense Authorization Act, aims to protect military service membe ...
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The theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre museum in 1911
In what became one of the most notorious art heists in history, Vincenzo Perugia stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. This event launched the painting, which was not very popular at the time, into international fame.
The Mona Lisa was regarded as a masterpiece by some but not very popular with the public before its theft
Initially, only a niche group of Renaissance art scholars regarded the Mona Lisa as a masterpiece. Before its theft in 1911, it wasn’t particularly popular among the general public; it was not the Louvre’s most celebrated piece.
Louvre security was extremely lax; Vincenzo Perugia worked there installing glass cases
The Louvre's security was incredibly lax in the early 1900s, allowing the public to enter and exit with little scrutiny and employees to take paintings off the walls freely. Vincenzo Perugia, a handyman, had worked at the museum installing glass cases, which equipped him with the knowledge of the museum's vulnerabilities. On the day of the theft, the museum was closed for a routine cleaning, facilitating his crime.
Perugia stole the Mona Lisa, hid it in his apartment but got nervous about selling it
Dressed in a staff uniform, Perugia waited until the guards left, removed the Mona Lisa from its casing, and escaped with the help of a maintenance worker. In his one-room hotel apartment in Paris, just five kilometers from the museum, Perugia kept the painting hidden in a trunk with a false bottom.
Two years later Perugia was caught trying to sell the Mona Lisa in Italy
After two years, Perugia was caught trying to sell the Mona Lisa in Italy. He did not anticipate the uproar the theft would cause and, in fact, had not chosen the Mona Lisa because it was the most famous work, but because of his personal notion of Italian patriotism.
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The theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre museum in 1911
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Clarifications
- Vincenzo Perugia believed that the Mona Lisa, created by Leonardo da Vinci, belonged rightfully to Italy due to its artistic and cultural significance. He saw himself as a patriot aiming to return the painting to its home country, which was under French possession at the time of the theft. Perugia's actions were driven by a sense of national pride and a desire to reclaim what he perceived as a symbol of Italian heritage. His motive was not primarily financial gain but rather a misguided attempt to restore what he believed was Italy's cultural property.
- Perugia's portrayal as a nationalist hero in Italy stemmed from his belief that the Mona Lisa belonged in Italy, as it was created by Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian artist. This sentiment resonated with many Italians who viewed the theft as a symbolic act of reclaiming a piece of their cultural heritage. Despite the criminal nature of his actions, Perugia's perceived patriotism overshadowed the negative aspects of the theft in the eyes of some Italians. The notion of national pride and the desire to repatriate a significant cultural artifact played a significant role in shaping the positive perception of Perugia's theft of the Mona Lisa in Italy.
- Perugia was caught trying to sell the stolen Mona Lisa in Italy when he contacted an art dealer in Florence, claiming he could provide the painting. The dealer, suspicious of Perugia' ...
Counterarguments
- While the Mona Lisa may not have been the most famous painting before its theft, it was still known and appreciated by art connoisseurs and had a place in the Louvre, suggesting it had some level of recognition and value.
- Even if Louvre security was lax, it was consistent with the security standards of many institutions during that era, and not necessarily a unique failing of the Louvre.
- Perugia's employment at the Louvre might have given him knowledge of the museum's vulnerabilities, but it does not necessarily imply that all employees posed a security risk or that the museum was negligent in its hiring practices.
- Perugia's nervousness about selling the Mona Lisa could be seen as an indication of his understanding of the painting's value and the difficulty of disposing of such a high-profile piece, rather than just fear of getting caught.
- The claim that Perugia was caught trying to sell the Mona Lisa two years later could be nuanced by considering that he may have been attempting to return it to what he considered its rightful place, Italy, rather than a simple sale for profit.
- The theft may have contributed to the Mona Lisa's fame, but the painting's intrinsic qualities and the subsequent att ...
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