The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-17
THEFT OF PICTURE
MAYLEAD 10 GO0as
General Revolution Likely in
Management OF the
Louvre.
ART LOVERS ARE AROUSED
For Years They Have Prayed
for Better Protection OF
Treasures,
ART LOVERS ARE AROUSED
BY GEORGE

- ts'1 oaiAp 80
museum, which art lovers all over the
world have been praying for for years
The people of France are probably moro
fond of their national treasures of ART
than any people in the world. but al
the same time the invaluable treasures
contained in the old royal castle on the
bank of the Seine are exposed to al!
dangers imaginable.
A couple of years ago II was pointed
out in the Chamber of Deputies tina,
no fewer than forty-hve different sys.
TENS OF heating apparatus were useC
al the Louvre, that the wonder wa ;
that it had not been destroyed by fire.
IT was TO lessen the hanger in that
respect that NJ. Homolle, the director.
and other high officials, received gov
rnmen orders to quit their quarters
at the national palace, and to live in
private residences. Meanwhile. the
heating of the Louvr was to be re-
organized, and, indeed the works are
still going o n
A colossal confagration at the Lou
vre has been my daily dread for some
time; it was infinitely more likely than
that q thief should be able, leisurely.
and in the light of day. to steal the
Louvre's greatest treasure. l quite
understand tears of rage" being shed
"tANh NAN "aS W
artists. and people with the artist in
%stinct, can realize the passionate at
tachment works like the "Gioconda''
inspire. For four centuries It was the
proud possession of France, fascinat-
ing all eyes, attracting all cultured ma
tions, a pure and unauthorized glory.
1t was the one picture that deied imi-
tation. Mona Lisa was the ineffable
and the inscrutable; Pygmalion before
Galatea, Michael Angelo before Moses"
were not more adoring than the count
less artists who have bent In costa tic
reverence before this inspiration OF
da Vinci. If 1t had been the
hazard OF war, an accident, the finger
poignant. but to think that 1t is the
direct result of official negligence
makes the blood boil.
The French government quickly saw
the significance Of the outbreak of
public Indignation. by no means con-
fined to the educated classes. An Off
cial note was issued without delay,
promising that the severest punishment
would be inflicted on those responsible
for the loss. And. as usual, the stable
Is vigorously locked now that the
horse has been stolen.
What is the use of furnishing this
Or that official? 1t Is the system which
is TO blame. Apparently it was no.
body's business to control the vagaries
of photographers. Imagine the worlds
masterpieces being left at the mercy of
any barbarian, l%unat!c, or robber that
passed by!
70. a race meeting, a theatre, or any
public spectacle the soldiers are utt-
Lied. There are so many in Paris that
employment Of their spare time would
do them no harm. But you never see
files of soldiers marching for duty at
the Louvre. AS for the employees and
c~aretakers, they are of the slumbering
sort. enjoying the snug berths provid-
ed for them ,,by. POLITICAL favoritism.
1t would not he so bad If the pictures
were properly fastened 10 the walls
and connected with electric bells. But
1t only requires a minute to detach
any OF the smaller tableauX.
The ease with which the "G!cconda"
was stolen Will certainly awaken the
attention of malefactors. There are
other national museums besides he
Louvre. Versailles, Fontainehleau. Com
piegne. Malmaison. Chantilly. and st.
German are mines of artistic and his
torical treasure. They are less guard
ed than the Louvre!
The hunt for the men who stole la
G~ioconda" has resulted in many anus
ing incidents all owe the country. for
ell kinds OF people are on the CON
slant lookout for the thieves and look
at every stranger with suspecting ewes.
AT Rouen a commercial traveller en-.
tered q barbershop for a shave the
other day. He had a sort OF p~asteboard
valise, which he placed carefully on
the floor II was big enough TO con
tain the "G!oconda." The BARRIERS as
eistant locke at II shyly. Incidentally
G railroad pass Tell out Of the travel
!eTs pocket. 1t had his in
which he was represented with a fui!
beard.
The equanimity OF the barrier was
totally upset by TINS. He communicated
his suspicious TO others. and as tn
customer left the shop a regular hue
and cry was started after him. ii.
was called after as the "voleur de IA
J%oconde.'
The astonished traveller ou.ckl,
justified himself by opening his boa
n showing that Il contained sample.
of merchandise AS 10 his beard h,
good-naturecly explained that he de
wear one, and was photographed thai
way before the summer, hut during
az sicat Acat He mao MS beard Gu
off.
The only chance of recovery seem,
TO be by the offer OF a large ransom
ri. Henri Rochetort returns 10 IT,.
charge and is organizing what he hone,
TO be a large public subscription. Tn,
Society OF the Friends OF the Louvr,
declined to accept his plan, as he II
first proposed II, u its president ant
other influential members suggested
private subscription. The Marquis d
Magny asked 10 be inscribed for e sun
of 800. a member at Limoges prom,
Uses 10 raise $1,000 in that; town. NJ
Rochefort himself says that small a
his W. means are, he Will gladly sub
scribe $500.
IT is hardly likely. he thinks. tina
the thief, who mus, have bad only
business dealfi in view. can be onere
more than 5000 00
This sum II Rochefort would rails
By a general appeal to all art lovers
xhe money Of each suRscrihsg ~ I