2026-02-05
The artistry of the Mona Lisa was already appreciated in the 19th century, but it only gained true cult status when it suddenly disappeared from the Louvre. The famous theft of Leonardo's work in 1911 and its recovery two years later was reported by the press around the world.
Ninety years later, several Britons decided to follow in the footsteps of the thief of the 'Mona Lisa,' although the 'Madonna of the Yarnwinder' – for it was this painting by Leonardo that caught their eye – never achieved a status comparable to that of its famous predecessor.
Currently, the 'Madonna of the Yarnwinder,' also known as the 'Buccleuch Madonna' after its owner, is located in the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh. The accompanying description states that the work was missing between 2003 and 2007.
For years, the painting belonged to the Duke of Buccleuch and was located on his estate in Dumfries and Galloway, in southwestern Scotland.
In August 2003, a group of men robbed the castle and the painting disappeared without a trace – until it was recovered years later by private detective Robbie Graham.
In 2023, his daughter, in collaboration with the BBC, released a podcast describing the story behind the discovery of the Madonna. Graham revealed that the prince, in collaboration with the police, set a trap for her father and his accomplice, who privately collected the painting from the actual thieves. Ultimately, the charges against the detective were dropped, but the perpetrators were never caught.