[MR] BBC: Second "Mona Lisa" Mystery

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

So did Leonardo really paint two versions of the Mona Lisa? Well, an expert
authenticator says yes, the paint, the style and other factors make the
so-called "Isleworth Mona Lisa" an authentic Da Vinci. Yet an Oxford
scholar disputes this, and claims it is a copy (thought apparently a very
good copy). The debate goes on, bolstered by historic hints that there was
a second Mona Lisa.

To add spice to the story, the Isleworth Mona Lisa first emerged in 1913
when it was bought by Hugh Blaker, a rather controversial art dealer who
failed at nearly all his business dealings and was unable to sell the
second Mona Lisa in his lifetime. Then the painting passed to another
dealer, Henry Pulitzer, who spent a fortune trying to prove the Isleworth
Mona Lisa was real. To finance his case, Pulitzer sold 25% of the painting
to a British couple, or maybe he didn't. After Pulitzer's death the
painting ended up in one of those infamous Swiss vaults. Since 2008
ownership has been claimed by a mysterious international consortium which
does not recognize the Gilberts' claim. And so now the whole thing mess is
in the hands of art detectives, and no doubt soon in the courts. In the
end, it likely will be lawyers and investigators who will be the real
winners, but someday the world may get another Da Vinci to marvel at. Or
maybe not.

So if you would like to read the whole BBC story, go here
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-50046133 , but be prepared to
have your head spin.

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆