The theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 actually helped increase its fame and popularity. The painting received widespread media coverage during the search for the missing artwork, which led to more people becoming aware of it. After the painting was recovered in 1913, it became even more famous and drew larger crowds to the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it is displayed. The incident turned the Mona Lisa into a symbol of art theft and intrigue, further solidifying its place as one of the most famous and recognizable pieces of art in the world.