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The decision to publish the world’s most famous portrait feels particularly misguided now that the DOJ has been accused of releasing sensitive information about victims.
In a document containing photos sent to Jeffrey Epstein’s personal email address, the Department of Justice (DOJ) made a curious redaction, placing a black square on the front of one of the most ubiquitous portraits in the world.
As the DOJ faces intense criticism for releasing sensitive information about Epstein’s victims, including Social Security numbers and uncensored nude photos, the federal agency decided to cover the face of what appears to be a reproduction of Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ in its recent document release.
The altered “Mona Lisa” appears in a document of photos emailed to Epstein in 2009, with the subject line “just Paris.” Several photos in the email portray a young couple, including a woman whose face has been redacted and an unnamed man.
Photos in the email show the young couple at famous tourist destinations in Paris, including the Arc de Triomphe and at the Louvre.
The edited image of Mona Lisa appears to be a reproduction of the artwork and not the actual painting, although another photo in the email shows someone walking past the glass-covered painting in the Louvre.
“We just walked around the whole city, not just seeing the sights [sic]…we took about 1500 photos, so it was very difficult to decide which ones [sic] send!” said the email, sent by a redacted contact.
The email is dated July 3, 2009, weeks before Epstein was released from prison following his conviction in Florida for charges including soliciting prostitution from a minor.
The editors of the Mona Lisa feel particularly misguided as the DOJ faces accusations of releasing identifying information about about 100 Epstein survivors in their latest release of documents related to the convicted child molester.
One survivor’s lawyer claimed his client was mentioned more than 500 times in the files. According to the New York Times, Forty images contain unedited nude photos and the faces of seven people. After the publication notified the DOJ, a spokesperson said it was working to make the appropriate redactions.
The latest batch of Epstein dossiers has also revealed new connections between the disgraced financier and art world figures. David A. Ross, the former chair of the School of Visual Arts’ MFA Art Practice Department, has resigned following the publication of his email exchanges with Epstein. Emails also showed that Jeff Koons attended a dinner at Epstein’s home years after his conviction.
