New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-13
MONA LISA FOUND;
THIEF IN CUSTODY
Stolen from Louvre by Ex-
Employe, 1t Is Offered for
Sale in Florence.
PATRIOTISM INSPIRED
THEFT, ITALIAN SAYS
Was Seeking to Avenge His Land
for Napoleon's Seizures of
Art Treasures.

"it
Florence, Dec. 12.-After more than
two years of search which has eX-
tended TO practically all quarters Of the
globe. Mona Lisa" Leonardo d.
vinci's great painting, which was
stolen from the Louvre, in Paris, has
been found II is now in the hands of
the Italian authorities and will be re-
turned TO France
Mona Lisa" LA Joconde' and La
Gioconda" as 1t is variously known, is
the most celebrated portrait of "A
woman ever painted The mystery of
It's abstraction from the Louvre its
great intrinsic value and the strange
fascination of the smile OF the woman
il portrayed-a model, Lisa del Gio-
oondo-have combined TO keep alive in
terest in its recovery.
The picture was recovered under
curious circumstances. An Italian
wrote TO Signor Geri, an antiquary of
Florence. some weeks ago, saying: II
am in possession OF the missing Mona
Lisa but being patriotic italian /
desire that il shall remain in Florence,
the centre of Italian art"
Thought Thief Madman.
He signed the letter Leonard and
the antiquary at first paid small atten-
tior 10 it. thinking that he had TO do
with a madman. Later. however, he
communicated with DR.. Poggi. director
of the Florentine museums, who sug-
eested that he continue the correspon-
dence with the man.
This was done. and an appointment
was arranged whereby Geri was TO
view the picture at Milan. The date
set was November II. but Unforeseen
circumstances prevented the meeting.
\ young man. fairly well dressed,
visited Geri yesterday. He said he
WAS Leonard and was staying at the
Hotel Tripol. He asked Geri TO go
with him 10 see the picture. The dealer
notified Dr. Poggi. who FASTENED to
the hotel and on being shown the
painting recognized it as the genuine
Mona Lisa"
Police Make Arrest.
DR.. PoRgi asked To be allowed 10 take
the picture with him go that he might
compare IL with other works. He made
an appointment 10 meet Leonard this
afternoon at the hotel to agree upon
the price. The director took with him
several officers who placed the man
under arrest.
on being interrogated the prisoner
said his real name was Vincenzo Peru
gia. that he was born in the Province
of Como, was by profession decorator
anG was unmarried. For six years he
lived in France and for three years
was employed nt the Louvre.
Perugia posed as a patriot. i was
ashamed" he said. that for more than
a century no Italian had thought OF
avonging the spoliation committed by
Frenchmen under Napoleon, when they
carried off from the Italian museums
and galleries pictures, statues ana
treasures Of all kinds by wagonloads,
ancient manuscripts by thousands and
gold by sacks"
Blouse Coneeals Theft.
He had often observed he said, in
the Louvre many works OF art stolen
from Italy and conceived the Idea Of
returning to It's true home Leonardo
da Vinci's masterpiece. He entered the
Louvre early in the morning, detached
the picture and removed the canvas
from the frame. He concealed the
frame under the backstairs. He hid
the picture beneath his workmans
b,ouse and left the place without at
tracing suspicion.
At tho time of the theft Perugia
was not employed in the Louvre, but
he knew all the exits and entrances
and how TO avoid attention. He kept
the painting in place OF concealment'
he said. until his patriotism led him
IN offer II to the italian people.
The painting has also been identihed
by DR.. Corrado Ricci, Director General
OF the Department OF Fine Arts, who
was dispatched hurriedly to Florence
from Rome by the Minister OF Public
instruction, Luigi Credaro. After a
careful examination DR.. Ricci tele-
rhoned to the minister, who was In
credulous. Ricci said, II will stake my
head on II"
To this Signor Credaro replied; Il
do not care for your head; but If this
news. after II Is published. is found not
10 be true, you will be dismissed.
Or. Ricci answered: "I will take full
responsibility and am ready to risk dis
missal.'
Deputies Cease FistieuHs.
The news OF the discovery of Mona
risa" spread in the Chamber OF Depu-
tIes where extremist members were
engaged n fsticuffs. The disorder
ceased Immediately
All laughed at the defence of the
thief Some Of them remarked that
Napoleon's deeds were too antiquated
TO constitute grounds for feuds.
II II were not so Italy would quarrel
with the whole world, as all countries