The New York herald., 1922-06-29
SEEK FINGER PRINTS
M$5OO,OOO
me.Andree Hahn's Agents
Say da Vinci Smudged
His Pictures.
DUVEEN MAKES DENIAL
Owner of La Belle Feron-
Mere Contends Experts
Sneers Spoiled Sale.
TRIAL WILL BE NOTABLE
Both Sides Examine Paintings
All Over Europe to Get
Evidence.
TRIAL WILL BE NOTABLE


da vinci depends the result of the
action fled last January by Nine
Andree Hahn. French wife of an
American airman. If 1t was Da
Vinci's wont to stand off from his still
wet canvases and, with his thumbs
fatten that Nine. Hahn thinks that
Sir Joseph Duveen will have to pay
her 100000, provided, of course, that
she can prove it to the satisfaction
of jury.
At present several lawyers and art
dealers are hustling hther and yon
over Europe inspecting Da Vincis
with magnifying glasses and the ap-
paratus of the finger print expert. In
fact a Frenchman who knows all
about the Bertillon system of idenih-
cation by finger prints is with the
party. These cunning investigators
are working in the interests of
Stanchheld & Levy, counsel for Sir
Joseph.
Every now and then they cross the
trail of Hyacinthe Ringrose and Nine.
Hahn. who are suitably supported by
finger print experts and art con-
noisseurs of varying numbers Mr.
Ringrose. who is Nine. Hahn's
lawyer, and Madame herself are
closely inspecting the same Da vincis
When the trial is called there will be
arrayed against one another two pla-
toons of artists and art authorities.
Will BE Exciting Trial.
The chances are that nothing quite
Ike 1t will have been seen since the
entire Metropolitan Opera Company ap-
peared before a large Celtic Magistrate
in Philadelphia to bear witness OF the
gentle character of a pocket edition
prima donna who was accused by 200
pound music critic of hurting him down
d fight of steps.
Nine. Hahn, whose husband Is H
Hahn. formerly a Captain in the United
States Army Air Service. fetched what
she insists is Da vincis La Belle
Feronniere" TO America in June. 1920.
II was scheduled 10 be taken out to Kan
sas City and there hung in the local
art institute. Kansas City. Mime. Hahr
says. was prepared TO give her $500, 900
for It.
But before 1t left New York It was
displayed in a Fifth avenue salon for
the benefit of number of interested
dealers. Sir Joseph Duveen happened to
be In New York and II Is said that he
dropped in TO survey the masterpiece.
Having looked II over and being familiar
with the LA Belle Feronniere" that
hangs in the Louvre. Sir Joseph ex-
pressed himself as confident that Nine.
Hahn possessed no Da Vinci.
Naturally that discouraged Kansas
City. At all events Nine. Hahn's paint
ing remains in her possession. She says
that the Louvre's painting of Lucrezia
Crivelli ola Belle Feronniere") is but
q copy of hers. the original. Sir Jo-
seph insists that not only does Nine.
Hahn hold a spurious copy OF this early
la Vinci but that II was executed by 4
most inferior artist--a painter who
couldn't even copy adroitly.
VIII Establish N Precedent.
Therefore New York is due to have
tTldl lndL Will Create at ltdSl one DTtCt-
dent. 1t will be the first time that the
authenticity of an old master will de-
pend upon finger prints OF the painter.
who died 1884 years before Alphonse
Bertllon was born.
Naturally. contends Nine. Hahn, the
finger prints Of the F'lorentine master
were never taken by his family nor by
the police for Identification or other
purposes. But she contends that those
who really know their italian masters
are amazed to learn that there are
learned art connosseurs who forget
that virtually all of Da vinci's paint
ings are literally alive with his thumb
prints and the prints of his little
fingers.
According 70 J. Arthur Leve OF
Stanchfield & Levy. Sir Joseph will
depend upon the testimony OF such
European authorities as Sir Charles
Holmes, Bernard Behrenson, Prof.
Ventura and the celebrated DR.. Bode.
"Of course" said Mr.. Leve yesterday.
"any hope OF Nine. Hahn to prove that
hers is the original La Belle Feronniere"
nv trying TO show that the finger and
thumb prints on her painting are ident-
cal with those on other and proved Da
vincs is absurd. Suppose. for the sake
Of argument. that the master did thumb
and finger his paintings. What Of Il?
Why, he died in 1919, ana every one or
Ills canvases has been retouched and
vnrnished and wearproofed any number
or times. DO you think there is any,
thing left of his original fingerprints?
Nonsense
Besides the court might insist that
the originals be produced here In New
York during the trial. Now I leave II
t. you. isn't IL aabsurd 10 consider for n
moment that any such thing could be
done?'
Nevertheless Nine. Hahn and Mr..
Eingrose. flanked and supported by their
experts. are going up and down Europe
inspecting the Alteration OF Kings" In
the Uffizi the Virgin Of the Grotto."
n the Louvre tbc Last Supper which
hangs in the monastery of Santa Maria
aalie Grazie IN Milan; and even his sup
pcsed portraits OF the Duke and the
Duchese dEst in the Ambrosiana. LA
Belle Feronniere" (supposedly Lucrezia
crivelli) was credited with being very
particular friend OF the Duke--so much
20. In Fact. that the Duchess declined
20 sit pretty when Leonardo did her, the
fesult being a very sour looking Duchess
dist
AZ Mr.. Ringrocc's office yesterday Il
was said that he might not be back
from Europe Tor three or four months.