"LA GIOCONDA."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1933, 16 December 1913, Page 5

"LA GIOCONDA."

» DA VINCI'S MASTERPIECE AT THE UFIZZI GALLERY. CROWDS FLOCK TO SEE IT. By Tclear&Dh—Proas Association—Oopyrifrhf Rome, December 14. Crowds, including many notabilities, are tlocking to the Ufizzi _ Gallery to view the restored "llona Lisa" (stolen from Paris some tiuio ago and recently rccovorcd}. Tlio only damage to the picture is a slight abrasion in the check and a tiny scratch on the left shoulder. Perugia denies lie had ait accomplice. ITo states that his motive in stealing the picturo W. 13 that he dcsir«l to ensure a comfortable old age for his parents. Paris, December 14. The polico havo discovered that Perugia was sentenced to a day's imprisonment for theft and a week for carrying firearms. M. BcHillon states that Perugia's thumb-print is identical with that oil the "Mom Lisa's" glass. _ Accused's former companions state that before leaving Paris, shortly after the theft, Perugia expressed a hopo that ho would return with a fortune. Ho afterwards sent postcards from London, where undoubtedly ho was seeking a buyer. The "Echo do Paris" states that tho police in Milan believe that Perugia acted at the instigation of a band of international robbers. Perugia has shown signs of mental derangement. PERUGIA IN POPULAR FAVOUR IN ITALY. (Rec. December 15, 11.40 p.m.) Paris, December 15 Perugia was alono amongst'the. workers engaged at tho Palace of tho Louvre in failing to respond to tho summons to attend tho Prefecture. The gendarme who was sent to question him Dertunctorilv searched his lodgings, and did not perceive the missing "Jlona Lisa, which was lying under some rubbish in a cupboard. Rom 3, December 10. Fifty thousand neoplc have traversed the Ufizza Gallerv at Florence to view the "Jlona Lisa." Public opinion in Florence is favourable to Perugia, who will be tried for the theft of the picture., m Italy. A movement has initiated tor tlio opening of 'subscriptions \\\ aid of nis defence, and also for providing eomfoiti for liim while in prison.