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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, January 1950-April 1951

ARCH.2003.31, Rendition: 804151

Mistral, us.mistral.pixtral-large-2502-v1:0

The image is a vintage newspaper clipping from the "Bureau Service" Press Clipping Bureau, dated December 2, 1962. The article is titled "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!" and is written by Charles A. Wagner.

The article discusses the discovery of a portrait of Mona Lisa, which is claimed to be the authentic painting by Leonardo da Vinci. The article begins by highlighting the significance of the Mona Lisa as a "universal symbol of the Renaissance" and mentions that the portrait has been hanging in the Louvre for 197 years.

Key points from the article include:

  1. Historical Context: The article mentions that the painting was purchased by Francis I, King of France, in 1517 and has been in the Louvre since 1793. It also notes that Dr. Silvain Pellico, a famous art historian, offered evidence in 1913 that the Louvre's Mona Lisa was a copy.

  2. Discovery of the New Portrait: The article reveals that a new portrait of Mona Lisa has been discovered in a private collection in the United States. The portrait is claimed to be the original work of Leonardo da Vinci.

  3. Expert Opinions: Dr. Thomas Yost, a noted art expert, and Mrs. Alice C. Erickson, an art historian, have examined the newly discovered portrait and believe it to be the original Mona Lisa. They point out differences between the Louvre's version and the newly discovered portrait, such as the background and the subject's hands.

  4. The Portrait's Journey: The article traces the history of the newly discovered portrait, which was brought to France in 1571 by William Vernon, an Englishman. The portrait was later inherited by the Vernon family and eventually brought to the United States.

  5. Comparisons and Evidence: The article compares the newly discovered portrait with the Louvre's version, noting differences in the background, the subject's hands, and the overall composition. It also mentions that the newly discovered portrait has a more detailed background and a different pose of the subject's hands.

  6. Conclusion: The article concludes by suggesting that the newly discovered portrait is the authentic Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, and that the Louvre's version is a copy. It also mentions that the portrait has been authenticated by several art experts.

The article is accompanied by images of the newly discovered portrait and a photograph of Dr. Thomas Yost and Mrs. Alice C. Erickson examining the painting.

Mistral, mistral.magistral-small-2509

The image is a newspaper clipping from the New York Mirror, dated October 8, 1963. The headline reads "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!" The article, written by Charles A. Wagner, discusses the discovery of a portrait that some believe to be an authentic version of the Mona Lisa, previously owned by an American family. The piece details the history of the portrait, its connection to the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci, and the ongoing debate about its authenticity. The article also mentions William Vernon, an art expert, and his family's history with the painting. Additionally, the clipping includes a photograph of Dr. Thomas J. Judson and Mrs. Alice C. E. Vernon examining the painting, along with a portrait of the Louvre's Mona Lisa for comparison.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-3b-instruct

The image is a newspaper clipping from the Buffalo Evening News, dated September 19, 1937. The headline reads "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!" by Charles A. Wagner.

The article discusses the discovery of another painting that is claimed to be a real Mona Lisa. The story follows a detailed account of the historical and artistic background of the Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci, which has been in the Louvre Museum in Paris since 1517.

The article also mentions that another painting, titled "The Gioconda" or "Mona Lisa," was previously hung in the Louvre and was thought to be a forgery. The story highlights the efforts of Dr. Thomas Judson and Mrs. Alice C. E. Vernon, who are trying to authenticate the newfound painting. The piece includes a description of the process of verification and the significance of the painting's discovery.

Additionally, it includes a small black-and-white photo of a man and a painting, presumably related to the story, and provides a bit of background on the family that owned the painting before its discovery. The article also references various historical and artistic details about the Mona Lisa, including its provenance and the various theories about its creation and ownership.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-8b-instruct

The image is a newspaper clipping from the Buffalo Evening News, dated December 12, 1937. The headline of the article is "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!" The article discusses the discovery of a new Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci, which was previously thought to be a lost or destroyed work.

Key points from the article include:

  1. Discovery of the Mona Lisa:

    • The article claims that another genuine Mona Lisa has been found in a private collection in Hanover, New Hampshire.
    • This painting was previously attributed to an "impressionist" named Da Vinci by a French art dealer.
  2. Historical Background:

    • The story recounts that in 1517, the original Mona Lisa was commissioned by Leonardo da Vinci for a Florentine nobleman, Francesco del Giocondo.
    • The painting was later acquired by King Francis I of France, and subsequently by Louis XIV.
    • In 1855, a portrait of Mona Lisa was exhibited in Paris, but it was later identified as a fake.
  3. Da Vinci's Portrait:

    • The text mentions that Da Vinci painted a portrait of his father, which is now in the Louvre.
    • It also references a portrait of a young William Vernon, who was a relative of the French royal family.
  4. Verification:

    • The article states that Dr. Thomas Sudson, a renowned art expert, and Mrs. Alice C. E. Vernon, an art collector, have authenticated the new Mona Lisa.
    • The Mona Lisa in the private collection was painted on a walnut panel, similar to the original.
  5. Artistic Details:

    • The article discusses the artistic techniques used by Da Vinci and the similarities between the new painting and the original.
    • It mentions that the new Mona Lisa has subtle features that match the original, such as the use of sfumato and the landscape in the background.
  6. Verification by Experts:

    • The experts, Dr. Thomas Sudson and Mrs. Alice C. E. Vernon, are noted to have closely examined the painting and compared it to the original.
    • The article also mentions the use of X-rays and other scientific methods to verify the authenticity.

The clipping includes several photographs and illustrations to support the article's claims, including images of the newly discovered Mona Lisa, the original Mona Lisa, and other related artworks.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-14b-instruct

The image is a historical newspaper clipping from the "Butterflies" Press Clipping Bureau, dated October 5, 1937. The article is titled "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!" and is written by Charles A. Wagner.

Summary of the Article:

The article discusses the discovery of a previously unknown portrait of Mona Lisa, which was painted by an artist named Da Vinci and hung in the Louvre. This particular Mona Lisa, however, was painted on a lving-room wall in Hanover, New Hampshire, by an artist named William Vernon. The article details how Vernon's family has been preserving this artwork for generations, unaware of its significance.

Key Points:

  1. Discovery and Verification:

    • The article claims that the Louvre's Mona Lisa was not the only one painted by Da Vinci. It states that there was another version, painted by Da Vinci himself, which was discovered in New Hampshire.
    • The Da Vinci family had a tradition of painting a portrait of Mona Lisa and passing it down through generations.
  2. The Vernon Family:

    • William Vernon, a descendant of the Da Vinci family, painted the portrait in 1797, believing it to be a copy of the original Mona Lisa.
    • The Vernon family, particularly the Prince family, preserved this artwork and passed it down through generations, unaware of its true origin and value.
  3. Historical Context:

    • The clipping includes a reference to Leonardo da Vinci's original painting, housed in the Louvre, which was commissioned by Francesco del Giocondo.
    • The article mentions the famous painting's history and its journey through various hands and locations, including its current home in the Louvre.
  4. Family Artistic Tradition:

    • The Vernon family had a long-standing tradition of painting a version of the Mona Lisa, with each generation adding their own touch.
    • The article describes how the Vernon family's portrait was considered a prized possession and was used to decorate their homes.
  5. Artistic and Historical Significance:

    • The clipping emphasizes the unique historical significance of the Vernon family's portrait, suggesting it could be as valuable and historically significant as the original Mona Lisa.

Visuals:

  • There are two images included in the article:
    1. A portrait of William Vernon, the artist who painted the discovered Mona Lisa.
    2. A painting of the Mona Lisa by the Vernon family, described as the "another real Mona Lisa."

Conclusion:

The article concludes by suggesting that the Vernon family's portrait is a genuine work by Da Vinci or at least a highly significant replica, adding to the historical intrigue and value of the artwork. It highlights the family's dedication to preserving this piece of art and their eventual recognition of its true importance.

Mistral, mistral.mistral-large-3-675b-instruct

The image is a newspaper clipping from the New York Mirror, dated October 15, 1937, and it features an article by Charles A. Wagner titled "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!"

Summary of the Article:

Headline:
"Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!"

Subheadline:
The Great "Mona Lisa" Imbroglio

Content:

The article discusses the discovery of another purported authentic version of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, the Mona Lisa. It begins by mentioning that this new version was found in an unnoticed corner of a Hampshire mansion and is being investigated by several art experts.

Historical Context:
The article recounts the history of the Mona Lisa, which was stolen from the Louvre in 1911 and recovered in 1913. The recovered painting was hailed as the authentic Mona Lisa, but the article suggests that there were always doubts about its authenticity due to differences noted by experts.

The New Discovery:
A portrait found in the home of Mrs. John R. H. Thursby was examined by experts who believe it might be the original Mona Lisa. This new portrait was allegedly traced to the collection of Leonardo da Vinci by notable figures such as Francis I of France, Charles I of England, and eventually the Duke of Buckingham.

Expert Opinions:

  • Muñoz William Vimercati and others have examined the newly found portrait and suggested it might be the true Mona Lisa.
  • The Louvre's version, according to the article, might be a copy made by Leonardo’s favorite pupil, Salaino.

Theories and Investigations:
The article mentions that the newly discovered painting was brought to America by an ancestor of the Thursby family and had been kept in the family's possession for generations.

Further Insights:
The article also discusses other historical art pieces and their provenance, including a portrait of Isabella d'Este and the journey of the Louvre's Mona Lisa from Florence to France.

Concluding Thoughts:
The author concludes by noting the controversy and the need for further study by experts to determine the authenticity of the newly discovered portrait.

Additional Elements:

  • There are illustrations of the Mona Lisa, including the one from the Louvre and the newly discovered version.
  • The article also includes a picture of the co-owners of the second Mona Lisa, Dr. Thomae-Johnson and Mrs. Alice C. E. Vercron.

The overall tone of the article suggests a significant discovery that could potentially change the accepted history of one of the world’s most famous artworks.

Azure OpenAI Service, gpt-4

The image appears to be a photograph or scanned image of a newspaper clipping from a publication called the New York Mirror. The text of the article is headlined "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!" and discusses the discovery of another authentic Mona Lisa that has been hanging quietly on a living-room wall in Hanover, New Hampshire. The article features a significant amount of text discussing historical details and expert opinions relating to the art world, specifically the Mona Lisa.

In terms of visual elements, the newspaper clipping shows signs of age with some discoloration and frayed edges. There are three photographs included within the article, but the faces in these photographs have been obscured. The bottom left corner contains an image labeled "The Louvre’s Mona Lisa," also known as La Gioconda, which is recognized internationally as a masterpiece. The text likely goes on to detail the provenance of the newly discovered painting, comparisons with the Louvre's Mona Lisa, and the implications of such a find for the art world.

This historic and potentially significant discovery would be a topic of interest to art historians, collectors, and the general public intrigued by the mysteries surrounding famous artworks. The mention of the year 1936 in connection with the discovery suggests the article itself is from an earlier period.

Azure OpenAI Service, gpt-4.1-mini-2025-04-14

The image shows a vintage newspaper clipping from Burrelle's Press Clipping Bureau, New York, dated February 25, 1951. The article, titled "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!" by Charles A. Wagner, discusses the discovery of another authentic Mona Lisa painting hanging quietly and almost unnoticed in a living-room wall in Hanover, New Hampshire.

The article describes the portrait as rivaling the famous Mona Lisa in the Louvre, painting history, and mentions that this version was made by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1506. It explains that the painting was identified as the third wife of Francesco del Giocondo of Florence or Isabelle d'Este, the famous Marchioness, with some historical details and references to experts who examined and authenticated it.

The clipping includes two photographs:

  1. One shows the Louvre's Mona Lisa.
  2. The other shows Dr. Thomas Judson, a famed art expert, and Mrs. Alice C. E. Vernon, co-owner of the second Mona Lisa, examining the newly discovered piece.

The article also discusses the painting's provenance, its survival through historical events, and the intriguing story of how it came into a private collection in New Hampshire. It notes that the Veron family treasured this painting and considered it a remarkable and enigmatic work, claiming it to be possibly more subtle and elusive than the American Mona Lisa that hangs in the Louvre.

The text ends by stating the painting's importance and suggests it deserves a place in the Free Fogg Museum, which first recognized its significance.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image appears to be a clipping from a newspaper, specifically from the "Buekelles Press Clipping Bureau" located in New York City. The clipping contains an article titled "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!" written by Charles A. Wagner. The article discusses the discovery of another authentic Mona Lisa painting, which has been hanging quietly and almost unnoticed in a Hanover, New Hampshire, family's home.

The article claims that this painting is a true portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the subject of the original Mona Lisa, and it reveals a fascinating story beyond the familiar belief that any other work is history. The painting is said to have been created by Leonardo da Vinci in 1506, based on a portrait by the artist on that date, which was signed by him.

The article also mentions that the painting was brought back to France by William Vernon, who was charged with the task of acquiring paintings for the king. The painting was eventually acquired by the family of Dr. Sittner, a famous Harvard professor, who examined and authenticated the painting as the original work by Leonardo da Vinci.

The article provides details about the painting's history, including its journey through various owners and its eventual discovery in the Hanover, New Hampshire, family's home. It also discusses the significance of the painting and its potential impact on the art world.

Amazon, us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0

The image is a newspaper clipping from the Buffalo Evening News, dated February 7, 1971, featuring an article titled "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!" The article is authored by Charles A. Wagner and discusses the discovery of a purported authentic version of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, the Mona Lisa.

Visual Elements:

  1. Headline:

    • The bold headline, "Discovered: Another Real Mona Lisa!", is prominently displayed at the top of the article, drawing immediate attention.
  2. Subheading and Byline:

    • Below the headline, the subheading reads: "The startling news that another authentic Mona Lisa has been hanging quietly and almost unnoticed on a living-room wall in Hanover, New Hampshire, adds a fascinating passage to art history and uncovers a true story beyond factual belief!"
    • The byline identifies the author as Charles A. Wagner.
  3. Photographs:

    • Top Right Image: A photograph of a man and a woman, presumably Dr. Thomas Judson and his wife, Alice C. Judson. The caption identifies them as the owners of the second Mona Lisa, describing it as the "great new find."
    • Bottom Left Image: A close-up of a painting titled "The Louvre's Mona Lisa", showing the famous Mona Lisa as it is known from the Louvre Museum. This image is used to compare the newly discovered version.
  4. Article Text:

    • The article is written in a journalistic style, detailing the discovery of a second Mona Lisa that allegedly hung in the living room of Dr. Thomas Judson in Hanover, New Hampshire. It discusses the history of the painting, its authenticity, and the reactions of experts.
    • Key points mentioned include:
      • The painting was identified by Dr. Vasari in the 16th century as the original Mona Lisa.
      • It was painted in 1503 by Leonardo da Vinci.
      • The painting was owned by the famous Florentine family, the Giocondi, and later passed through various hands.
      • Dr. Thomas Judson, an art expert, claims to have discovered the painting and believes it to be the authentic version.
      • The article references historical accounts, including Vasari’s writings and other art historians, to support the claim.
  5. Layout:

    • The article is formatted in a typical newspaper style, with columns of text and accompanying images.
    • The text is dense and includes quotes, historical references, and expert opinions.

Key Themes:

  • Authenticity Debate: The article revolves around the claim that a newly discovered painting is the "real" Mona Lisa, challenging the widely accepted version in the Louvre.
  • Historical Context: It references historical figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Vasari, and the Giocondi family to build the narrative.
  • Expert Testimony: The article cites Dr. Thomas Judson and his wife, Alice, as well as other experts, to lend credibility to the discovery.

Overall Impression:

The image conveys a sense of intrigue and mystery, presenting a sensational claim about the discovery of a lost masterpiece. The combination of the bold headline, compelling photographs, and detailed narrative aims to capture the reader’s attention and provoke curiosity about the authenticity of the Mona Lisa.