Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-13
Italian Workingman Resented
Art Spoliation by the First
Napoleon.
ITS RETURN TO FRANCE
TO BE WITH CEREMONY
Art Dealer Through Whom Paint
ing Was Recovered May Get Re-
ward of $48, 900.

Yesterday in possession of Vincenzo
Ferugia was. confirmed by experts
after further examination today.
The picture bears the seals of the
Louvre and other galleries in which il
has been hung, while the traces of re-
pairs at the back of the canvas also
are visible. The prisoner was again
Intercepted by the police authorities
this morning He repeated his story
OF having stolen the picture as an act
Of patriotic vengeance for Napoleon s
depredations in Italy. He displayed
the utmost Indignation at his treatment
by the police, declaring it unjust after
the risks he had run and the abnega-
tion he had demonstrated out of pa
triotic sentiment.
\ number of prominent Italians have
written to the Italian minister of pub
lie instruction requesting him to per-
birion in Florence, its former home.
before returning it to the French gov
eminent.
Some weeks ago an Italian wrote tc
Signor Geri. ali antiquary of Florence
saying: Il am in possession of the miss
ing Mona Lisa. but being d patriotic
Italian l desire that II shall remain in
Florence, the center OF Italian art.
He signed the letter Leonard, and
the antiquary at first paid small atten-
ton to it. thinking he had to do with a
mailman. Later, however. he communi-
Gated with DIR. Poggi, director of the
Florentine museums. who suggested that
he continue the correspondence with the
man. This was done. and an appoint
ment was arranged whereby Geri was to
view the picture at Milan. The date set
was November Ii. but Unforeseen circum-
stances prevented the meeting.
Recognizes Mona Lisa"
\ young man fairly well dressed visit
ed Geri Thursday He said he was
Leonard and was staying at the Hotel
Tripoli. He asked Geri TO go with him
to see the picture. The dealer notified
DR.. Poggi. who FASTENED to the hotel.
and on being shown the painting recog-
nized it as the genuine Mona Lisa"
DR.. Posgi asked to be allowed to take
the picture with him. that he might
compare il with other works. He made
an appointment 10 meet Leonard yes
terday afternoon ar the hotel. to agree
upon the price. The director took with
him several Officers, who placed the man
under arrest.
On being Intercepted the prisoner said
his real name is Eincenzo Perugia. that
he was born in the province of Como.
IS by profession decorator, and is I'M
marrled. For six years he lived in
France. and for three years was en-
Ployed at the Louvre.
-Perugia posed as n patriot. II was
ashamed. he said. that for more than
a century no Italian had thought OF
ayenging the spoliation committed by
Frenchmen under Napoleon. when they
carried off from the Italian museums and
galleries pictures. statues and treasures
Of all kinds by wagonloads. ancient
m a. mr. hv nd gold nv
sacks"
Stolen Early in Morning.
He had often observed. he said, in the
Louvre many works of art stolen from
Italy, and conceived the idea Of return
ing TO its true home Leonardo da vincis
masterpiece. He. entered the Louvre
early in the morning. detached the pic
rure. and removed the painting from the
frame. He concealed the frame under
the back stairs. where it was afterward
found. He hid the picture beneath his
workmans blouse. and succeeded in leav-
ns the place without attracting sus-
picion.
Vt the 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
concealed. he said, until his patriotism
The picture was identified by Dr. Cor
RADIO Ricci. director general of the de-
paTtment OF fine arts. who was dispatch
- hurriedly to Florence from Rome By
the minister of public instruction, Luigi
C'redaro
Government Acts Promptly.
News of the discovery of Mona Lisa
spread in the chamber Of deputies in ses-
sion at Rome, where extremist members
were engaged in tisticuffs in an endeayor
10 prevent vote on the election of a
nationalist deputy for Rome The disor-
ded ceased Immediately. The deputies
surrounded the minister of public instruc.
rion, who exhibited a telegram from DIR
RIccl confirming the statement he had
already made by telephone.
All laughed at the defense OF the thief
Some of them remarked that Napoleon
deeds We're too Anticipated TO constitute
grounds for feuds- If 1t were not so
Italy would quarrel with the whole world
as all countries had stolen MASTERPIECES
from her, not excluding the United
states. The famous Ascou cope, stoler
from the cathedral at Ascoh which was
returned by J. p. Morgan was cited
however, as an instance of American
generosity.
Senior Credaro announced that Ital,
would apply the same generosity. as h,
oassador. Camille Barrere. of the dis
covery OF the painting. He added:
Pomp to Mark Return.
Mona Lisa will be delivered TO tn
ambassador with a solemnity worth,
Leonardo da yinci and a spirit of hapi
ness worthy of Mona Lisa's' smile. AL
though the masterpiece Is dear to al
Italians as one of the best production
Of the genius of their race, we will will
mgly return il to its foster country, whic
has regretted its loss so bitterly. as
fresh pledge of friendship and brother
hood between the two great Latin ma
tons"
Strangely enough. the painting is in a
almost perfect state OF preservation not
outstanding the vicissitudes II must hav
undergone
The French ambassador expressed hi
thanks TO the Italian premier. Signor Gic
iiiu: the foreign minister, Marquis di Sa
Giuiiano. and the minister of public in
structon. Signor Credaro, for the not
fcations ne had received regarding d.
tails of the recovery of the picture III
said that the French government and tn
French people would feel the deepes