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The image is a newspaper clipping from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat dated May 7, 1960. The article, titled "Are there two MONA LISAS?" is written by Emily Genauer, author of "Best of Art."

The article discusses the mystery surrounding the famous painting "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci. It presents two portraits of the Mona Lisa, one of which hangs in the Louvre, while the other has been in the United States for 153 years. The article questions the authenticity of these paintings and explores the possibility that there might be two genuine Mona Lisas.

Key points from the article include:

1. Debate Over Authenticity: Art experts are divided on which painting is the authentic Mona Lisa. One painting has been in the Louvre, while the other has been privately owned by an American family.

2. Historical Context: The article mentions that in 1953, Professor Edward W. Forbes, then director of Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum, suggested that the Mona Lisa in the Louvre might have been painted in Leonardo's time but altered. He proposed that Leonardo might have begun the painting and completed part of the face during the early 1500s.

3. Ownership and Provenance: The other Mona Lisa, owned by the Vernon family, was brought to the United States around 1778. The painting was examined by experts, including Sir Thomas Lawrence and Benjamin Franklin, who believed it to be authentic.

4. Recent Developments: In 1960, Dr. Androes W. Vernon, a great-grandson of the original owner, sought to have the painting authenticated. The article mentions that the painting was examined by experts, including a member of the American Academy in Rome, who found it to be a genuine da Vinci.

5. Mystery Remains: The article concludes that the mystery of the Mona Lisa's authenticity remains unsolved, with the Louvre's Mona Lisa being the more widely accepted version.

The article is accompanied by images of the two Mona Lisa portraits, side by side, for comparison.

The image is a newspaper clipping from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat dated May 7, 1950. The article is titled "Are there two MONA LISAS?" and is written by Emily Genauer, the author of "Best of Art."

The article discusses the mystery surrounding the authenticity and possible existence of two versions of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, the Mona Lisa. It highlights that one of the paintings hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris, while another has been in the United States for 153 years.

The text mentions that a painting accompanied by highly documented authentication and an impressive background of 153 years of continuous ownership was exhibited in New York City. This painting was authenticated by X-ray, infrared, and other laboratory tests conducted by the Italian Academy in Rome.

The article recounts the history of the second Mona Lisa, which is owned by Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon. It was initially believed to be a portrait of Marie Antoinette, but Vernon maintains it is another version of the Mona Lisa painted by da Vinci. The article also discusses the historical context and the speculation surrounding the identity of the sitter in the original Mona Lisa.

The article notes that the mystery of the second Mona Lisa remains unresolved, and there are differing opinions about its authenticity. It concludes by mentioning that the Louvre's Mona Lisa has been temporarily moved to a New York bank vault for safety during the Vernon family's stay in Paris.

The image is a newspaper clipping from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat dated May 7, 1950. The headline of the article is "Are there two Mona Lisas?" and is authored by Emily Genauer.

The article discusses the debate surrounding the authenticity of two versions of the famous painting "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci. It presents the following points:

1. Introduction to the Mystery: The article begins by mentioning the famous smile of Mona Lisa and the mystery of whether there are indeed two versions of the painting.

2. Historical Context and Expert Opinions:

   • It references Professor Edward W. Forbes, who declared the picture had been painted in Leonardo's time.
   • It highlights the continuous debate and differing opinions among art experts and critics regarding the origins of the two versions.

3. The Two Paintings:

   • The article shows photographs of the two Mona Lisas: one in the Louvre Museum in Paris and another in the United States.
   • It notes that the painting in the Louvre is generally considered the original, while the one in the U.S. has been authenticated through X-rays, infra-red, and other laboratory tests.

4. The New York City Twist:

   • It mentions that a painting in New York City, which was previously thought to be a copy, has been authenticated as another genuine Mona Lisa.

5. Legends and Stories:

   • The text mentions a story involving an embroidered taffeta court dress of a woman named Antonietta whose name is linked to the painting.
   • It also references William Henry Vernon, a descendant of the recipient of the original painting, who had a connection to the famous canvas "Madonna of the Rocks."

6. Current Mystery:

   • Despite the extensive investigations, the article concludes that the mystery remains unsolved, with the Louvre's Mona Lisa and another version in the U.S. still being debated as to their authenticity and origins.

The clipping is part of an effort to keep the public informed about the ongoing debate and the efforts made to authenticate and understand the history of these iconic artworks.

The image is of a newspaper article from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, dated May 7, 1950. The headline of the article is "Are there two MONA LISAs?" and it is written by Emily Genauer. The article discusses the possibility that there may be two versions of the Mona Lisa, one of which has been in the United States for 153 years. It features two images side by side, both claiming to be the Mona Lisa, with a caption asking, "Which is which?" The left image is credited to VENEZIA WOLF, and the right to CAMERA CLUB. The article explores the history and authentication challenges of the paintings, mentioning that one was once owned by a family in New York and was considered genuine by some experts. The article also references past claims and the ongoing mystery surrounding the true identity of the two paintings.

The image is a newspaper clipping from the St. Louis, MO, Globe-Democrat, dated May 7, 1950. The headline of the article asks, "Are there two Mona Lisas?" The article, written by Emily Genauer, explores the mystery surrounding the famous painting, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

The article presents two images of the Mona Lisa side by side, noting that one hangs in the Louvre in Paris, while the other has been in the United States for 150 years. It discusses the possibility that there might be two versions of the painting.

Key points include:

1. Discovery of Another Mona Lisa: The article mentions that a Mona Lisa was brought to New York, which some experts initially believed could be the original due to its impressive background and condition.
2. Expert Opinions: Experts and critics examined the new discovery and debated its authenticity. Some believed it might be a genuine earlier version by Leonardo, while others remained skeptical.
3. Authentication Issues: The article highlights that the authentication of the Mona Lisa found in the U.S. is complicated. The Mona Lisa in the Louvre is well-documented and authenticated, while the other version's origins are less clear.
4. Historical Context: The piece references claims by Professor Edward W. Forbes and art historian William Henry Vernon, who suggested that Leonardo might have painted two versions of the Mona Lisa.
5. Mystery and Debate: The article ends by mentioning that the Louvre’s Mona Lisa is unequivocally accepted as genuine, while the other painting’s authenticity remains a mystery, leading to ongoing debates among experts.

Additionally, there is a brief mention by Dr. Ambrogio W. Vernon about a Congressional inquiry into the Mona Lisa's history and the possibility of two versions, one of which is in the Louvre and the other in America.

The image is a newspaper clipping from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, dated May 7, 1950. The article, titled "Are there two MONA LISAs?" by Emily Genauer, discusses the possibility of there being two versions of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, Mona Lisa.

The article starts by mentioning a painting that has been in New York City for 153 years, accompanied by extensive authentication and tests, which led to the claim that it could be an original or a genuine copy by da Vinci. The article compares this painting with the famous Mona Lisa in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Key points of the article include:

• The Mona Lisa in New York has been authenticated with X-rays and other laboratory tests by experts from the Vatican Academy in Rome.
• The New York painting's background shows a 153-year-old continuous history, including being owned by William Henry Vernon, a retired Congregational minister.
• Vernon acquired the painting in 1897, allegedly from a woman named Marie Antoinette de Verna, who claimed it was given to her by Napoleon III.
• The Louvre Mona Lisa is widely recognized as the original, painted by da Vinci between 1503 and 1519.
• The article mentions a historical account by Professor Edward Forbes in 1923, suggesting that da Vinci may have painted several versions of the Mona Lisa, including one possibly commissioned by Giuliano de' Medici.
• Dr. Ambrose W. Vernon, the great-grandnephew of William Henry Vernon, maintains the authenticity of the painting in his possession, despite skepticism from experts.

The article also notes that the mystery remains unresolved, and there are still questions about the authenticity of the New York painting, with some experts maintaining that there are two versions of the Mona Lisa: one in the Louvre and another in London's National Gallery. The article concludes by mentioning that the New York bank vault temporarily closed due to the interest in the painting.

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.

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."

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.

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.