Thursday, November 27, 2014

Research: Worcester Art Museum "Then and Now" by Travis Simpkins. Update #25

     -The first photo, from 1920, shows the area that would eventually become the Jeppson Gallery at the Worcester Art Museum. At the time, it was more of an alcove on the third floor landing. The photo was taken from what was once a small balcony room above the lower third floor galleries, looking straight across the stairwell. At some point, many years ago (probably when the fourth floor was added), a wall was erected to enclose the space... leading up to it's present use as the Jeppson Idea Lab.
     -The second "Then and Now" composition contrasts the Renaissance Court in the early 1980's and at present. Notable elements from the 1982 photo include a variety of Flemish tapestries hanging from the balcony walls, the lack of a border and railing around the Antioch Hunt mosaic and how dark the floor was with heavy applications of wax. The lighting in the older photo is much more stark as well, with artificial illumination, as natural light was not reintroduced to the space until 2001.

     -The sketch depicts the Ancient Greek marble Grave Stele of an old man, crafted in Athens during the 4th Century B.C., and seen at left in situ in the Renaissance Court photos.

     -When the Renaissance Court was constructed in the early 1930's, it was equipped with many practical amenities, including a Central Vacuum system. The round hinged-outlets, scattered around the area, are remnants of that old system.

Third Floor. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Renaissance Court. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Old Man. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Central Vac System. Worcester Art Museum, 1930's

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Portrait of LAPD Detective Don Hrycyk, 2014. by Travis Simpkins

LAPD Detective Don Hrycyk, 2014. by Travis Simpkins


Portrait Sketch of
Detective Donald Hrycyk
Los Angeles Police Department- Art Theft Detail
by Travis Simpkins


"Hot Art"


For more info, please visit:


LAPD Detective Don Hrycyk, by Travis Simpkins. Art Theft Detail

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Mona Lisa is Missing (2012): Documentary of Peruggia's 1911 Theft of Leonardo's Masterpiece


Mona Lisa is Missing (2012)
by Travis Simpkins

     Written and directed by Joe Medeiros, Mona Lisa is Missing (2012), also known as The Missing Piece: Mona Lisa, Her Thief, the True Story, chronicles a filmmaker's 30-year journey to discover the true motive behind Vincenzo Peruggia's 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in Paris. Puruggia's daughter, 84-year-old Celestina, was under the impression that her father stole Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece simply for patriotic reasons… to return the painting to Italy. Medeiros, in witty form, takes a deeper look at the case. Examining original documents and files, conducting interviews and bringing Peruggia's grandchildren along to retrace his footsteps from the theft to the return of the painting, provides an intriguing 90 minutes and brings some new information to light. Medeiros even reviews and debunks the famous Valfierno legend. Many experts provide commentary and insights, including Robert K. Wittman. Overall the film is a superb look at this 103-year-old mystery, and is worthy of the praise it has received.

Mona Lisa is Missing 

Celestina Peruggia, Vincenzo's daughter

Mona Lisa is Missing

Vincenzo Peruggia

The Mona Lisa is Missing

Mona Lisa is Missing

Peruggia's grandson with the Mona Lisa

Vincenzo Peruggia

Peruggia's granddaughter

Mona Lisa is Missing

The Mona Lisa, recovered, in Florence

"Mona Lisa is Missing"- movie trailer