"23 August 1911 One of the most precious treasures of the Louvre, Reuter's Paris correspondent says, has disappeared. The discovery was made at midday yesterday, and the picture gallery was immediately closed, while the Minister of Fine Arts was advised by telegraph. The picture is the portrait by Leonardo da Vinci of Mona Lisa, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo, a citizen of Florence."
"Continue reading Paris and the theory of a hoax 24 August 1911 The belief gradually gains ground in Paris that the disappearance from the Louvre of La Gioconda, the masterpiece to which Leonardo is said to have given four years, is due to a journalist who wished to prove the inadequacy of the protection afforded to national art treasures. The Matin and the Excelsior protest against the idea of such a hoax, which they describe as scandalous."
On 23 August 1911 the Mona Lisa disappeared from the Louvre and the picture gallery was immediately closed, with the Minister of Fine Arts informed by telegraph. The portrait by Leonardo da Vinci, of Mona Lisa, wife of Francesco del Giocondo, had been purchased by Francis I and reportedly took four years to complete. The frame and glass were found left on a staircase of the Louvre. Investigators, including ministers, the prefect of police, curators, attendants, and detectives, searched the entire museum without finding the painting. Theories ranged from a journalist hoax to theft by a maniac.
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