The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-26
PRICELESS PICTURE STOLEN
World Famous Mona Lisa" Disap-
pears from Paris Louvre.

Parls, Aug. 22.-The art world was
thrown into CONSERVATION today. bv
TIE announcement that Leonardo Da
Nincfs masterpiece, Mona Lisa g" or
as it is popularity known. La Jo-
conde," had mysteriously DISAPPEAR
ed from the Louvre. The famous
painting hung in the place Of honor
IN the Salon Carre, and not vestice
OF clue was left by the person or
persons who took it TO aid the de-
tectiVes and police in trying to trace
1t. search Of every nook and cram
ny OF the Louvre, from roof TO cellar.
only brought TO light the valuable
frame in which the picture hung and
the glass that covered it. Those were
intact on a back staircase.
Some persons believe that nrac-
tical joke has been played. but never
theless the Government has at work
its entire force Of detectives in an ef-
fort to recover the painting. Mona
Lisa is one Of Frances greatest art
treasures, ranking with the sculDtur-
ed Venus De Milo and THE Victory
OF SamOthrace," and Murillo's paint-
ing, The Immaculate Conception"
The painting was not missed until
noon today, when visitors to the Mu-
scum, among whom were hundreds
OF Americans We're quietly informed
that the gallery was about 70 be
closed for the day and requested to
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 M. Lee
pine, the prefect of Paris, NJ. Le-
pine set off for the Louvre. accom-
panied by NJ. Hammard, chief of de-
tectives. Reinforced by the entire
staff Of detectives, they remained un-
til night industriously 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
n orning, without its absence being
remarked until noon today.
George Benedite, acting curator Of
the Louvre, is inclined to be of the
opinion that the removal of the paint-
ing is the work Of a practical Joker.
pointing out that such a world ia
nous art treasure would be a white
elephant in the hands of thief. as
it would be utterly impossible to dis
pose of it. At the same time, how
ever, N. Behedite does not abandon
the hypothesis of theft.
The first searches for the painting
have 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 who has appoint
ed a magistrate TO immediately open
an investigation.
Mona Lisa" is one Of the worlds
famous paintings and is held price
less. At one time, it has been stated,
the British Government offered S.
oOO,O for the work, which was re-
fused. 1t is the most celebrated por-
trait of female in the world. Its
most striking characteristic is the
smile. Da Vincis model was the
wife of francesca De L. Giocondo. a
Florentine Of the fifeenth and sixteen
tn centuries. When Da Vinci paint
ed her, She was about so years old.
The subject is shown seated in a low
chair. on the left arm of which she
is leaning. The gown is simple. Dark
hair. waving loosely, drapes an oval
face with expressive eyes and aquiline
nose. About the mouth is seen the
sweet smile, which has been the chief
characteristic in making the painting
famous. 1t is said that Da Vinci, in
order TO bring this effect, had mu-
sicians, singers and testers near his
subject to amuSe her as he painted.