AN ART SWINDLE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 65, 18 March 1910, Page 5

AN ART SWINDLE.

E'ress Assn —By telegraph—Copyright. (Received March 18, 8.40 a.m.) BERLIN, March 17.

An analysis of the wax composing the Flora bust, which Dr. W. Bode, director of the Berlin Art Gallery, purchased in England for a large price, attributing it to Leonardo de Vinci, the famous sixteenth century artists, shows that it consists of lac spermaceti and beeswax, the same composition as the artist R. C. Lucas was in the habit of using. It is thought that the bust is probably by Lucas, as spermaceti was unknown before 1700.

The London Times of October 23 last describes the bust, and the Southampon auctioneer, who handled it, in a subsequent letter to the same paper, states that Ti. D. Lucas was brought into association with the art denier Buchanan, who brought him the reputed picture by Vinci. This picture was copied in oils by Albert Durer and Lucas's son, R. C. Lucas. Buchanan asked R. C. Lucas ,if ho could reproduce the subject of the picture in the form of a wax bust, as there would be a good market for it. Lucas undertook the commission, which Avas duly completed. Subsequently Buchanan was unable to carry out his share of the bargain, but took away the Vinci picture, leaving the bust in the hands of the artist.