Archives Scrapbooks

The image shows a historical newspaper clipping from the Providence Journal. The headline reads "Painting Now in N.H. Reported Authenticated as da Vinci Work." The clipping discusses the authentication of a painting in a Hanover, New Hampshire, home as a Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, according to a Vatican art expert. The article mentions that the painting was authenticated by Dr. Thomas Macoughtry Judson, an American who was a curator of the Vatican's Cicognara collection. The painting has been in the Vernon family since 1797, when it was brought from France by William Henry Vernon. The article also notes that the painting was sent to the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University in 1933 for cleaning and that x-rays taken at the time proved the ancient canvas to be from the period when Leonardo da Vinci was known to have painted La Gioconda (Mona Lisa). The clipping is dated February 22, 1950, and is accompanied by a label from the New England Newsclip Agency, Inc.

This image displays an old newspaper clipping from the "Journal (m)" based in Providence, R.I., dated February 22, 1950. The headline reads: "Painting Now in N.H. Reported Authenticated as da Vinci Work."

The article begins with the dateline "New York, Feb. 21," and discusses the authentication of a painting in Hanover, New Hampshire, as a work by Leonardo da Vinci. It mentions that a Vatican art expert reported the authentication, and a spokesperson for Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon of Hanover confirmed that the authentication was made by Dr. Thomas Macoughtry Judson, an American who was the curator of the Cicognara collection of the Vatican.

The painting, according to the family spokesperson, has been in the Vernon family since 1797, when it was brought from France by William Henry Vernon. It is now the joint property of Dr. Vernon and his brother's widow, Mrs. Alice C. E. Vernon.

The article also notes that the painting was sent to the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University in 1933 for cleaning, and technicians there took X-rays which confirmed the painting's age and authenticity as a work by Leonardo da Vinci.

The clipping is part of the New England Newsclip Agency, Inc., collection, and the clipping is from a newspaper with a circulation of 45,527. The clipping is slightly yellowed and has some red markings on it.

This image displays a vintage newspaper clipping dated February 22, 1950, accompanied by a small, folded paper label from the New England Newsclip Agency, Inc. of Providence, R.I., indicating it was taken from the Journal (m) and had a circulation of 45,527.

The article’s headline reads:

Painting Now in N.H. Reported Authenticated as da Vinci Work

The clipping reports on a significant art authentication claim: a Vatican art expert, Dr. Thomas Macoughtry Judson (an American and former curator at the Vatican’s Cicognara collection), authenticated a painting in the possession of the Vernon family in Hanover, New Hampshire, as a genuine Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

Key details from the article include:

• The painting has been in the Vernon family since 1797, reportedly brought from France by William Henry Vernon.
• It is believed to have been received as a gift or for "safe-keeping" from Marie Antoinette shortly before her beheading in 1793.
• Dr. Judson’s opinion, after extensive study and tests, was that the painting was “in my opinion... by the hand of Leonardo da Vinci.” He identified it as a portrait of Mona Lisa, the third wife of Francesco di Bartolommeo di Zanobi del Giocondo — the same subject as the famous Louvre painting.
• He claimed this version was painted earlier than the Louvre Mona Lisa.
• The painting is co-owned by Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon and his brother’s widow, Mrs. Alice C. E. Vernon.
• In 1933, the painting was sent to the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University for cleaning. Technicians there reportedly used x-rays to examine the canvas, which they said proved it was from the correct period when Leonardo painted the original Mona Lisa (La Gioconda).

The clipping reflects the excitement and mystique surrounding lost or alternative versions of Leonardo’s masterpieces and showcases mid-20th century public interest in art authentication and provenance — even if such claims were often later disputed or unverified. The slightly yellowed paper and typewritten font are characteristic of 1950s newspaper clippings.

Overall, this artifact is a snapshot of art history in the making — or at least, in the reporting — as the world debated whether a humble New Hampshire family might be custodians of a priceless da Vinci original.

A clipping of a newspaper article is attached to a piece of paper. The clipping is in black and white, and the text is written in a serif font. The article is about a painting that has been authenticated as a da Vinci work. The painting is described as a portrait of Mona Lisa, and it has been in the Vernon family for many years. The article also mentions that the painting was sent to the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University for cleaning and authentication.

The image shows a newspaper clipping from the "Providence Journal" dated February 22, 1950. The clipping is about a painting in Hanover, New Hampshire, that was authenticated as a work by Leonardo da Vinci. The article mentions that the painting, believed to be a portrait of Mona Lisa, was brought to the United States by William Henry Vernon in 1797. The painting was sent to Harvard University in 1933 for cleaning and was later authenticated by Dr. Thomas Maccourty Judson, an art expert from the Vatican.

The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Providence Journal, dated February 22, 1950, with the headline "Painting Now in N.H. Reported Authenticated as da Vinci Work." The article, sourced from the Associated Press (AP) and dated February 21, 1950, reports that a painting in Hanover, New Hampshire, has been authenticated as a work by Leonardo da Vinci.

Key Details from the Article:

1. Painting Description:

   • The painting is identified as a Mona Lisa, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.
   • It is described as the joint property of Dr. Vernon, the great-grandnephew of William Henry Vernon, and his brother's widow, Mrs. Alice C. E. Vernon of New Jersey and Connecticut.

2. Authentication Process:

   • The authentication was conducted by Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon of Hanover, with the assistance of Dr. Thomas Macoughry Judson, an American who was a curator of the Cicognara collection at the Vatican.
   • Dr. Judson stated that after extensive study and tests, he believes the painting is by Leonardo da Vinci.

3. Historical Context:

   • The painting is said to have been in the Vernon family since 1797, when it was brought from France by William Henry Vernon.
   • It was sent to the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University in 1933 for cleaning and advice. During this time, technicians took X-rays, which confirmed the canvas was ancient and dated to the period when Leonardo was known to have painted La Gioconda (Mona Lisa).

4. Additional Information:

   • The painting is described as a portrait of Marie Antoinette, painted shortly before her execution in 1793.
   • It is noted to have been painted earlier than the more famous Mona Lisa, which is currently housed in the Louvre in Paris.

Visual Elements:

• The clipping is a physical newspaper page, with visible creases and wear, indicating it is an archival or historical document.
• The top portion of the image includes a header from the New England Newsclip Agency, Inc., with details such as the address (Box 2078, Boston 6, Hancock 6-9297) and circulation information (Circ. 45,327).
• The article is dated February 22, 1950, and appears to be part of a larger collection or archive, as suggested by the visible label "10:30-WF1L Sign Off Program" at the top right corner.

This clipping highlights a significant art authentication story from the mid-20th century, linking a painting to one of history's most famous artists.

This image displays two pieces of newspaper clippings with a slight overlap, pinned to a neutral-colored background.

The top clipping, partially obscured by the overlap, seems to be the header of a newspaper clipping or a note from a newsclip agency. It reads:

New England Newsclip Agency, Inc.
Box 2078, Boston 6
HAncock 6-9297

Below that, there's a stamp or pre-printed label that says:

Journal (m)
PROVIDENCE, R.I.
Independent
Circ. 45,527
FEB 22 1950

The lower clipping features an article with the headline:

Painting Now in N.H. Reported
Authenticated as da Vinci Work

The article is dated "New York, Feb. 21.—(AP)" and discusses the authentication of a painting in Hanover, New Hampshire, reported to be a Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. A spokesman for Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon of Hanover is mentioned to have made the authentication, with Dr. Thomas Macoughty Judson, an American curator of the Ciocgnara collection at the Vatican, being cited. Further details include references to the Vernon family's history with the painting since 1797, a mention of the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University in 1933, and the involvement of X-ray technicians in verifying the painting's canvas as being from the period when da Vinci was known to have painted "La Gioconda (Mona Lisa)." The article also mentions a connection to Marie Antoinette and that the painting was owned by a great-grandnephew of William Henry Vernon, among other details.

The visible part of the article is cut off at both the right and left edges, suggesting that there is more text that is not visible in the image.

The image shows a newspaper clipping from February 22, 1950, detailing an article about a painting located in Hanover, New Hampshire, reportedly authenticated as the work of Leonardo da Vinci. Specific details include:

1. Header: The headline reads: "Painting Now in N.H. Reported Authenticated as da Vinci Work."

2. Content:

   • The article states that a Vatican art expert had authenticated the painting as a version of the famous Mona Lisa, created by Leonardo da Vinci.
   • A family spokesperson for Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon of Hanover stated that the authentication was done by Dr. Thomas Macoughtry Judson, a former curator of the Vatican's Cicognara collection.
   • The painting was said to have been in the Vernon family's possession since 1797, originally brought from France.
   • It is described as a portrait of Mona Lisa, considered to be painted earlier than the legendary Mona Lisa in the Louvre.
   • The Vernon painting was also analyzed at Harvard University’s Fogg Art Museum in 1933, where x-rays confirmed the ancient canvas as dating back to Leonardo's period.

3. Details of Ownership:

   • The painting is noted to be a joint property of Dr. Vernon and his family members, including Mrs. Alice C.E. Vernon.

4. Layout:

   • The clipping includes the masthead of "New England Newsclip Agency, Inc.," with information showing the clipping came from the "Journal (m), Providence, R.I., Independent, Circulation: 45,527."

5. Timestamp: The date stamp shows "FEB 22 1950."

The story highlights both historical value and art authentication processes related to early Leonardo da Vinci works.

The image shows an old newspaper clipping with the headline: "Painting Now in N.H. Reported Authenticated as da Vinci Work." The article is dated February 21 (year not specified in the clipping) and mentions that a Vatican art expert has authenticated a painting in a Hanover, New Hampshire home as a Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

Key points from the article:

• A spokesman for Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon of Hanover stated the authentication was made by Dr. Thomas Macoughttry Judson, an American and former curator of the Vatican's Cicognara collection.
• The painting has been in the Vernon family since 1797, brought from France by William Henry Vernon and is believed to have been a gift or kept for safekeeping.
• The painting depicts Marie Antoinette shortly before her beheading in 1793.
• The painting is jointly owned by Dr. Vernon, a great-grandnephew of William Henry Vernon, and Mrs. Alice C.E. Vernon.
• Dr. Judson, after extensive study, concluded the painting is by Leonardo da Vinci, portraying Mona Lisa, the third wife of Francesco di Bartolommeo di Zanobi del Giocondo of Florence. It was painted earlier than the Mona Lisa in the Louvre.
• The painting was sent to the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University in 1933, where X-rays confirmed the ancient canvas matched the period of Leonardo's known work.

There is also a small label attached to the clipping from the New England Newsclip Agency, Inc., with a stamp date of FEB 22 1950 and mentions the publication as the Journal (m) Providence, R.I., Independent with a circulation of 45,527.

The image shows a small collage of vintage newspaper clippings laid on a light gray background. There are three pieces:

• A top, white clipping from New England Newsclip Agency, Providence, RI, with a date stamp “FEB 22 1950.”
• A left-bottom clipping with text about a Vatican art expert authenticating a painting in Hanover, NH (a Mona Lisa) by Leonardo da Vinci.
• A right-bottom clipping with a bold headline: “Painting Now in N.H. Reported Authenticated as da Vinci Work,” along with related article text about the authentication and provenance.

Overall, it presents a mid-20th-century claim that a Da Vinci painting ( purported Mona Lisa) was authenticated and located in New Hampshire.