When Leonardo da Vinci painted The Mona Lisa in the early 1500s, he couldn’t have guessed her fame would come not from her smile — but her disappearance.

In this premiere episode of Art Happens: The Divine Mess of Art History, host James William Moore uncovers the wild true story behind the 1911 theft that turned a quiet Renaissance portrait into the most famous painting in the world.

Meet Vincenzo Peruggia — the handyman-turned-art-thief who stole a masterpiece, baffled Paris, and accidentally made art history.

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Stay inspired with new episodes every week! Don’t miss out on deep conversations with artists, curators, and creators exploring the vibrant world of contemporary art.

Connect with Us:

J-Squared Aterlier (J2Atelier)
🌐 Website: J2 Atelier
📸 Instagram: @J2Atelier
James William Moore
🌐 Website: James William Moore
📸 Instagram: @the_jwmartist

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Love what you hear? Help us grow by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform! Your feedback keeps us inspired. 🎙️☕

You think art history is boring? Think again.

This isn’t your dusty museum lecture. This is Art Happens — where masterpieces meet messes, and the Divine gets delightfully chaotic.

Each week, we dive into the wild, weird, and wonderful stories behind the world’s most iconic art.

The heists, the heartbreaks, the happy accidents — the moments that made art… happen.

From Da Vinci to Duchamp, from scandal to sensation — we’re serving up bite-sized art history with a splash of wit, a dash of drama, and a whole lot of “wait, that really happened?”

Because perfection’s overrated, and the best art stories? They’re gloriously messy.

Subscribe now to Art Happens: The Divine Mess of Art History, presented by J-Squared Atelier — and get ready to fall in love with art… one delightful disaster at a time.

Season 1 begins December 1st.

Send us a text

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Follow & Subscribe to Art Happens
Stay inspired with new episodes every week! Don’t miss out on deep conversations with artists, curators, and creators exploring the vibrant world of contemporary art.

Connect with Us:

J-Squared Aterlier (J2Atelier)
🌐 Website: J2 Atelier
📸 Instagram: @J2Atelier
James William Moore
🌐 Website: James William Moore
📸 Instagram: @the_jwmartist

Leave a Review:
Love what you hear? Help us grow by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform! Your feedback keeps us inspired. 🎙️☕