Madonna of the Yarnwinder
by Leonardo da Vinci (with workshop)
Madonna of the Yarnwinder
The 2003 Drumlanrig Castle Heist
On August 27, 2003, two men purchased £6 tour tickets to Drumlanrig Castle and overpowered an 18-year-old security guide. They unhooked the Buccleuch version from the wall, climbed out a window, and escaped in a Volkswagen Golf. One reassured horrified tourists: "Don't worry love; we're the police. This is just practice." The FBI placed it on their 10 Most Wanted stolen art list (value estimated at $65 million). It was recovered on October 4, 2007 in a Glasgow law office during a police sting. The 9th Duke of Buccleuch died just one month before recovery, never seeing its return. The original thieves have never been caught.
Attribution Across Versions
Fra Pietro da Novellara's April 14, 1501 letter to Isabella d'Este — the key primary source — describes Leonardo working on this exact composition. An earlier letter notes "two of his apprentices are making copies and he puts his hand to one of them from time to time." Martin Kemp and Thereza Wells argue Leonardo was involved with both versions, confirmed by technical analysis showing he worked simultaneously on both paintings. Infrared reflectography reveals similar pentimenti in both underdrawings, including discarded elements (a basket of spindles, middle-ground figures) matching Novellara's description. Nearly 40 versions by pupils and followers survive.
Research & Analysis
On August 27, 2003, two men purchased £6 tour tickets to Drumlanrig Castle and overpowered an 18-year-old security guide. They unhooked the Buccleuch version from the wall, climbed out a window, and escaped in a Volkswagen Golf. One reassured horrified tourists: "Don't worry love; we're the police. This is just practice." The FBI placed it on their 10 Most Wanted stolen art list (value estimated at $65 million). It was recovered on October 4, 2007 in a Glasgow law office during a police sting. The 9th Duke of Buccleuch died just one month before recovery, never seeing its return. The original thieves have never been caught.
Fra Pietro da Novellara's April 14, 1501 letter to Isabella d'Este — the key primary source — describes Leonardo working on this exact composition. An earlier letter notes "two of his apprentices are making copies and he puts his hand to one of them from time to time." Martin Kemp and Thereza Wells argue Leonardo was involved with both versions, confirmed by technical analysis showing he worked simultaneously on both paintings. Infrared reflectography reveals similar pentimenti in both underdrawings, including discarded elements (a basket of spindles, middle-ground figures) matching Novellara's description. Nearly 40 versions by pupils and followers survive.