The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-08-23
PRICELESS PAINTING
MISSING FROM SALON
Mona Lisa" Most Celebrated
Portrait of Woman in World,
Disappears Mysteriously.
HAS HISTORY OF TROUBLE
Reported Year Ago to Have Been
Stolen and Sent to
America.

PARIS, Aug. 22.-The art world was
thToWn into CONSERVATION today by the
announcement that Leonardo da vinci' S
masterpieces, Mona Lisa, had mysteri-
ously disappeared from the Louvre. The
inmous painting hung In the place OF
honor In the salon CAIRO and not a clew
was left to aid the detectives In trying
to trace It. A search OF every nook and
Granny OF the Louvre from roof to cellar,
only brought TO light the valuable frame
~ u. which the picture hung and the glass
& back staircase
Some persons believe that a practical
joke ms been played. but nevertheless
inc government has set to work It's entire
ing.
Mona Lisa" is one of Frances great
est art treasures, ranking with the scuip-
lures Venus de Milo The Victory OF
Conception"
The only parallel with this in the his
tory OF art thefts is the case of Gains
which was taken from its frame in the
show room OF an art firm In London
some years ago. but later returned by
the late Pat Sheedy, a. we'll known gam
bier. who acted as intermediary between
the thief and the art dealers. Later this
picture WIS bought by j. Picrpont Nor
gan,
DececClVeS at W0rk.
The painting was not missed until noon
today. when visitors were informed that
the gallery was about to he closed for
the day and were requested TO leave.
After that time no one was admitted.
NJ. Caillaux, minister OF justice. was
ance of Mona Lisa and the entire
stan of detectives was set at work to find
the missing masterpiece,
The picture appears to have been taken
-.
sence being remarked until noon today.
Two masons who passed through the
salon Caro- at 1880 o clock a. M. yester-
day said they saw "Mona Lisa
An hour afterWard an attendant says
Inc noticed the picture was missing. but
believed 1T had been removed by one of
the photographers, who have the priyi-
lege OF taking pictures In the Louvre. On
the other hand. another official believes
he saw the painting at o'clock yestcr-
DIV afternoon
5Just thirteen months ago TO-DAY the Cr!
had been stolen from the Louvre through
the completely OF an official and that a
copy had been substituted In the frame
been taken to New York and sold TO
an American collector. This report was
repeatedly denied,
Suspect Mysterious German.
The police arc hunting for mysteri-
ous German, whose continual presence I'm
the salon attracted the attention OF It's
guardians
"Monn Lisa Is one Of the world 3
famous paintings. At one time, IT has
been stated, the British government Of
fercd 81, 900 for the work, which was
refused. 1t Is the most celebrated por-
trait OF a woman In the world. It's most
striking characteristic is the smile.
Da Einci's model was the wife OF Fran
cesco del Clcondo, F1orentine OF the flf-
teenth- sixteenth centuries. When Da
VInc painted her she was about 80 years
| of age. The subject Is shown seated IN
a low chair. on the left arm OF which she
| is lealing. The gown is simple DARK
| hair hanging loosely drapes mn oval face
| with expressive eyes and aquiline nose.
| About the mouth IS seen the sweet smile
which has hsen the chief characteristic
| II is said that Da Vinci. In order to OBJ
| tain this effect. had musicians, singers
and testers ncar his subject TO amuse
| her as he pain ted.