The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-23
Mona Lisa, 'Da Vinci S
M aste rpie &c, Disap-
pears from theLouvre
MAY b. WORK OF
PRACTICAL JOKER
But French Authorities Are
Greatly Stirred, and Govern
ment Sets in Motion All It's
Resources in Seeking Re-
covery of Priceless Art
Treasure.

Paris. August 22.-The art wprld
was thrown into CONSERVATION to-day
b. the announcement ,nut Leonardo
da Vincis masterpiece, Mona Lisa.
or as it is popularity known, LA Jo-
condo" had nys eriously disappeared
from the Louvre.
The famous painting hung in the
place of honor in the salon Care. and
not vcstise of d clue was left OF
the person or persons who took II, to
aid the detectives and police in try
ing to trace 1t. \ search of every
nook and Granny of the Louvre, from
roof to cellar. only brought to light
the valuable frame in which the pic
ture hung, and the glass that covered
1t. These were intact on back stair.
case.
Some persons believe that practical
joke has been played. but. ncverthe.
less, the government has set to work
its entire force of detectives in an
effort to recover the painting.
Mona Lisa" is one of Frances
greatest art treasures. ranking with
the sculptures Venus de Milo" and
The Victory of samothrace" and MI.
rillo's painting, The immaculate Con-
ception."
Its Only Parallel.
The only parallel with this history
of art theft is the case of Gains
borough's famous Duchess OF Devon
shire" which was taken from its frame
in the show room of an AM firm In
London some years ago. but later re-
turned by the late Pat Sheedy, we'll
known American gambler, who acted
as Intermediary between the thief and
the art dealers. Later this picture was
purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan
The painting was not missed until
noon to-day, when visitors in the
museum, among whom were hundreds
Of Americans, were quietly Informed
that the gallery was about 10 be
leave. After that time no one was
admitted.
NJ. Caillaux. Minister of Justice. was
immediately apprised of the disap-
pearance of Mona Lisa" and after
hurried conference with NJ Lepine. the
project of Paris, NJ. L=pine set off
for the Louvre, accompanied by NJ.
Hamard, chief OF detectives. Rein
forced by the entire staff OF detec-
tives. they remained until night. in
dustriously searching the Louvre for
the missing masterpiece.
The most remarkable feature of the
case is that the picture appears to
have been taken early yesterday morn
Ing. without It's absence being re-
marked until noon to-day.
Georges Bcnedite. acting curator Of
the Louvre. is inclined to believe the
removal OF the painting the work OF
a practical joker, pointing out that
such a world famous art treasure
would be a white elephant in the
hands OF a thief. as II would ne ut
terly impossible 10 dispose OF it, At
the same time. however. NJ. Banedite
does not altogether abandon the hypo-
thesis OF theft.
Charge of Theft.
The first searches for the painting
having proved fruitless. the Under
Secretary OF State for Fine Arts has
lodged a charge of theft against a
person or persons unknown. with the
Minister of Justice. which has APP
pointed a magistrate to open an in
vestigation.
Mona Lisa" is one OF the worlds
famous paintings, and is held price
less. AT one time. II has been stated,
the British government offered So
o00.o for the work. which was re-
fused IT is the most celebrated por-
trait OF female in the world. Its
most striking characteristic is the
smile. Da Vincis model was the wife
w Wei fioSoHhv' FL J.
tine of the fifteenth-siXteenth centu-
ries. When Da Einci painted her. she
was about thirty ye.rs old. The sub
ject is shown seated in a low chair,
on the left arm of which she Is lean
Ing. The gown is simple. Dark hair,
hanging loosely. Grapes an oval face.
with expressive eyes and aquilinc
nose. About the mouth is seen the
sweet smile. which has been. the chief
characteristic in making the painting
famous. IT is said that Da Ninci. In
order to obtain this effect had must
clans, singers and testers near his
- 1, AZ. 4. .I..4