Monster Mash: New claim of ‘Mona Lisa’ secret; Andrew Lloyd Webber calls off theater sales

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Enigmatic: An Italian researcher has claimed that Leonardo da Vinci painted tiny letters into the eyes of the ‘Mona Lisa,’ which may reveal the identity of his model. (The Guardian)

Canceled: The planned sale of four major West End theaters from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group to a consortium has been called off. (Playbill)

Ambitious: An arts organization in upstate New York has commissioned a sculpture using five large pieces of steel from the World Trade Center. (WNYC)

Dissident: Chinese artist Wu Yuren has been in prison since May, despite the efforts of his wife to secure his release. (NPR)

Making a statement: A Canadian string group has canceled its Detroit appearance after refusing to cross the picket line of striking musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. (Detroit News)

Getting personal: New York City Ballet dancer Jenifer Ringer responds to criticism of her body made by a New York Times dance critic. (New York Times)

Passing: Peter Marzio, the long-time director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has died at the age of 67. (Houston Chronicle)

Jazz great: Saxophonist James Moody has died at the age of 85 in San Diego. (Los Angeles Times)

Also in the L.A. Times: A conversation with Julie Taymor on Broadway’s ‘Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark’; Times music critic Mark Swed reviews Hilary Hahn and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Disney Hall.

-- David Ng