Archives Scrapbooks

This image displays a vintage newspaper clipping from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, dated May 7, 1950. The article, titled “Are there two MONA LISAS?”, written by Emily Genauer (author of “Best of Art”), explores a sensational art mystery: the possibility that two authentic versions of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa exist.

Key Features of the Article:

• Headline & Sub-headline: The headline poses the central question, while the sub-headline teases the mystery: “The world’s most famous painting has a twin — or at least a cousin. Art experts cannot decide which.”

• Two Images of the Mona Lisa: The article features side-by-side illustrations of two slightly different versions of the Mona Lisa:

  • The one on the left is credited to Wernher Wolff.
  • The one on the right is credited to Camera Club (likely referring to a photographic source).
    Both images show the iconic subject, but the version on the right has a bluer, more vibrant color palette and slightly different background details, hinting at stylistic or compositional variations.

• Caption Above Images: “WHICH IS WHICH? One of the paintings above hangs in the Louvre. The other has been in the United States for 153 years. For their identity, read below.”

• Article Content Summary:

  • The article recounts a claim that another Mona Lisa — not the one in the Louvre — was authenticated as genuine by Thomas MacGoughy Judson, a member of the American Academy in Rome and former Vatican curator.
  • The “second” Mona Lisa is said to have been in the United States for 153 years, tracing its lineage to William Henry Vernon of Newport, R.I., who acquired it in 1788 from an ancestor. Vernon’s great-grandnephew, Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon, was said to be the current owner.
  • The article mentions the painting’s mysterious history, including a link to Benjamin Franklin and a rumored escape from the French Reign of Terror.
  • Despite authentication via X-ray, infra-red, and other scientific tests, the article admits “the mystery remains unsolved,” and the Louvre's Mona Lisa continues to smile “enigmatically as ever.”
  • A small cartoon illustration in the left margin depicts an artist painting a portrait — perhaps symbolizing the act of creation or forgery.

• Visual Details:

  • The aged yellow paper, typewritten text, and serif fonts reflect mid-20th-century newspaper design.
  • A small handwritten "128F" is visible in red ink near the top, likely an archival or cataloging mark.
  • The paper is folded vertically down the center, suggesting it was preserved from a broadsheet.

Historical Context & Significance:

This clipping captures a moment of public fascination with art attribution and the enduring mythos of Leonardo’s masterpiece. The theory of a “second Mona Lisa” has long resurfaced — most notably in the 20th century through the “Isleworth Mona Lisa” and later the “Prado Mona Lisa.” While most experts today recognize only one authentic Mona Lisa by Leonardo (the Louvre version), this article reflects the cultural appetite for art mysteries and the romantic idea that legendary masterpieces might have “hidden twins.”

The article is both journalistic curiosity and historical artifact — a snapshot of 1950s art world intrigue.

In summary: This is a May 7, 1950, newspaper article questioning whether Leonardo da Vinci painted more than one Mona Lisa, featuring images of two versions and recounting the controversial claim of a second authentic painting existing in America. It’s an intriguing glimpse into mid-century art controversies and public fascination with one of history’s most iconic artworks.

This image appears to be a newspaper article from the St. Louis, MO Globe-Democrat dated May 7, 1950. The article discusses the debate over the authenticity of a painting that claims to be a Mona Lisa, suggesting there might be two versions of the famous portrait by Leonardo da Vinci. The article includes two images of the Mona Lisa, one on the left and one on the right, each attributed to a different source: "WERNER WOLFF" and "CAMERA CLIX" respectively. The headline poses the question, "Are there two MONA LISAS?" and credits the article to Emily Genauer, author of "Best of Art." The article delves into the history of the painting, including its ownership and authentication, as well as the skepticism surrounding the new painting's claim. It references experts and historical accounts of the Louvre's Mona Lisa and a private collection. The article also mentions the involvement of Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon and his family in the ownership of the painting. The article concludes that the mystery of the dual existence of the Mona Lisa remains unsolved.

This is an old article from the St. Louis, Missouri Globe Democrat dated May 7, 1950. The headline reads "Are there two MONA LISAS?" and the author is listed as Emily Genauer, who wrote the book "Best of Art." The article discusses the possibility of there being a second Mona Lisa painting in addition to the famous one in the Louvre Museum.

The article mentions that another Mona Lisa painting was recently discovered in New York City, accompanied by documentation and authentication. It also mentions a skeptical official from the Louvre who commented on the possibility of another genuine Mona Lisa.

The article goes on to discuss the history of the Louvre Mona Lisa, including its authentication by Professor Edward W. Forbes in 1933. It also mentions the painting's connection to Marie Antoinette and the mystery surrounding its ownership.

The article concludes by stating that the mystery remains unsolved, and while the Louvre's Mona Lisa smiles as enigmatically as ever, the doors of a New York bank vault have temporarily closed on the smile of the Vernon lady.

The image is a page from an old newspaper, dated May 7, 1950, from St. Louis, Missouri. The headline reads, "Are there two MONA LISAS?" by Emily Genauer, author of "Best of Art." The article discusses the possibility of there being two versions of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, the Mona Lisa.

The page features two images of the Mona Lisa, one on the left and one on the right, both showing a woman with a serene expression, long hair, and hands folded in front of her. The images are nearly identical, with subtle differences that are the subject of the article.

The text provides a detailed account of the history and controversy surrounding the Mona Lisa. It mentions Professor Edward W. Forbes, who suggested the possibility of a second Mona Lisa. The article also recounts the story of William Henry Vernon, who claimed to have inherited a Mona Lisa painting from his ancestor, Benjamin Franklin. Vernon believed that his painting was the original, while the one in the Louvre Museum in Paris was a copy.

The article further explores the debate among art experts and critics about the authenticity of the two paintings. It highlights the skepticism of some experts, who believe that the Mona Lisa in the Louvre is the only authentic version. The article also mentions the use of X-ray and other laboratory tests to authenticate the paintings.

The page includes a small illustration of a painter at work, possibly representing Leonardo da Vinci, and a brief note at the bottom indicating the page number and section of the newspaper. The overall tone of the article is investigative and informative, aiming to shed light on the mystery of the two Mona Lisas.

A newspaper clipping shows two images of the Mona Lisa, one from the Louvre and the other in the United States for 153 years. The headline reads "Are there two Mona Lisas?" The article discusses the mystery of whether the painting in the Louvre is the original or if there is another genuine version. It mentions that the painting in the Louvre is generally regarded as the world's most famous painting, while the one in the United States has been met with skepticism. The article also mentions that the painting in the Louvre is believed to have been painted by Leonardo da Vinci, while the one in the United States has not been authenticated.

Description of the Image

The image shows a newspaper clipping from the St. Louis, Mo., Globe-Democrat, dated May 7, 1950. It features a two-page spread discussing the famous Mona Lisa painting, with a focus on the question of whether there are two versions of the iconic artwork. The headline prominently asks, "Are there two MONA LISAs?" and is attributed to Emily Genauer, described as the author of "Best of Art."

Visual Elements:

1. Headlines and Title:

   • The main headline, "Are there two MONA LISAs?", is large and bold, drawing immediate attention.
   • A subheading states, "BY EMILY GENAUER", identifying the author.
   • The article is titled "The world's most famous painting has a twin—or at least a cousin."

2. Images:

   • Two nearly identical portraits of the Mona Lisa are displayed side by side.
     • The left image is labeled "WENNER WOLFF" and is identified as the version hanging in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
     • The right image is labeled "CARERA CLARK" and is noted as having been in the United States for 153 years.
   • Both portraits depict the same woman with the characteristic enigmatic smile, wearing a dark, flowing garment.

3. Text Content:

   • The article discusses the historical and art-historical debate surrounding the authenticity of the two versions of the Mona Lisa.
   • It references statements made by Professor Edward W. Forbes, then director of Harvard University’s Fogg Museum, who in 1923 declared it "impossible" that Leonardo himself painted more than one version of the Mona Lisa.
   • The article also mentions Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon, a New York City congregational minister and professor of theology, who claimed ownership of one of the versions, believed to be painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
   • The text highlights the mystery surrounding the origins of the two versions, noting that one version (the Louvre’s) is widely accepted as the authentic work, while the other has been in private ownership for centuries.

4. Additional Details:

   • The article includes a small illustration at the bottom left, depicting a cartoonish figure holding a magnifying glass, possibly symbolizing the scrutiny and investigation into the authenticity of the paintings.
   • The article references laboratory tests, including X-ray and infrared analysis, conducted by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Rome, which were unable to definitively resolve the mystery.
   • The article concludes by stating that the mystery remains unsolved, with the Louvre’s version being the most famous and the other version temporarily stored in a New York bank vault.

Contextual Notes:

• The article reflects the mid-20th-century fascination with art authentication and the enduring mystery surrounding one of the world’s most celebrated artworks.
• It highlights the challenges faced by art historians and experts in distinguishing between authentic works and forgeries or copies, particularly in the absence of definitive scientific evidence.

This clipping provides a historical snapshot of the ongoing debate about the Mona Lisa, illustrating how even in 1950, the question of whether there were two versions of the painting remained a topic of intrigue and controversy.

This image is a newspaper clipping, dated May 7, 1950, from the "St. Louis Globe-Democrat." The article is titled "Are there two Mona Lisas?" by Emily Genauer, discussing the possibility that Leonardo da Vinci painted a "twin" or alternate version of the famous Mona Lisa.

• At the top, it features two side-by-side images resembling the Mona Lisa, with a caption under the pictures reading: "Which is which? One of the paintings above hangs in the Louvre. The other has been in the United States for 153 years." The images compare two paintings with slight differences, highlighting the ongoing debate of authenticity and origin.

• The article dives into the mystery of whether Leonardo da Vinci painted more than one version of the Mona Lisa. It discusses various theories, referencing expert opinions, studies, historical records, and technical analyses by art scientists.

• Additional insight touches on the ownership of a supposed second Mona Lisa, including ties to William Henry Vernon, an American minister linked to the artwork.

Design elements include bold headings, highlighted excerpts, and a drawing of a stick-figure artist painting an easel, used to illustrate the topic visually. The piece centers on the intriguing debate that remains unresolved in art history.

The image is an article clipping, presumably from a newspaper, covering the subject: "Are there two MONA LISAS?" by Emily Genauer, who is cited as the author of "Best of Art." The article discusses the possibility of the existence of a twin or at least a cousin to the world's most famous painting, the Mona Lisa, and mentions that art experts cannot decide which is the original.

The article includes two images of the Mona Lisa, which are essentially identical except for some minor variations and the wear they display. The context suggests that there is debate regarding authenticity, ownership, and identity of these two paintings. It references historical facts and events, involving prestigious institutions and figures connected to the art world, to suggest a longstanding mystery regarding these artworks.

The page header shows that it originates from the "St. Louis, MO. Globe-Democrat" dated May 27, 1960. On the bottom left, there's a faded section indicating it belongs to page B7 and a code that reads "TW-5-8-60."

This image shows a newspaper or magazine clipping titled "Are there two MONA LISAS?" by Emily Genauer, author of "Best of Art." The publication is from the St. Louis, MO Globe-Democrat, dated May 7, 1950.

At the top of the clipping, there are two color reproductions of paintings resembling Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, side by side. The faces in both paintings are blurred. The caption between the paintings reads: "WHICH IS WHICH? One of the paintings above hangs in the Louvre. The other has been in the United States for 153 years. For their identity, read below."

The article discusses the mystery and debates around the authenticity and identity of the Mona Lisa paintings, referencing experts, art historians, and scientific examinations. It mentions the involvement of Professor Edward W. Forbes, Mary Macoughty Judson, and Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon, and touches on historical context related to the painting and its ownership.

Illustrations include a small drawing of a man painting a portrait near the title. The article suggests there may be two versions of the Mona Lisa, one in the Louvre in Paris and another in New York's National Gallery, known as the "Vernon lady." The article concludes that the mystery remains unsolved.

This is a scanned vintage newspaper clipping. It features a two-panel reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (side-by-side comparisons), with the faces intentionally blurred. Above the images is a bold headline: “Are there two MONA LISAS?” and the byline “BY EMILY GENAUER.” The clipping is from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, dated May 7, 1950 (the label in the top left reads “ST. LOUIS, MO. GLOBE-DEMOCRAT MAY 7 1950”). The article underneath discusses the mystery of whether there are two Mona Lisas, including a small illustration on the left and several columns of text. The overall look is yellowed newspaper paper with a border around the page.