The Mona Lisa is a famous painting known to all. When reminded of the painting, an image of a woman, sitting elegantly, comes to mind. Her mysterious smile and even more mysterious identity puzzles all. Yet, that seems to be the only thing people know of her. Together, we will find out about the millions of secrets masked by the fame of ‘The Mona Lisa.’
Located in the Louvre Museum, the painting is, if not the most popular, one of the most recognised paintings in the Louvre. With many looking at the painting monthly, it is obvious that the painting is no short of an admired artwork. But, why? Why is the ‘Mona Lisa’ so beloved?
Firstly, it is important to note why the Mona Lisa was painted. It is recorded by an art historian that the painting was a commission for Lisa del Giocondo. Though, it was strange that Leonardo Da Vinci would paint for a silk merchant’s wife, many theorise, that the painter was pressured to paint the Mona Lisa by his father. On the other hand, others speculate that perhaps this painting was a chance for Da Vinci to freely discover and explore art without restrictions set by the richer, royal commissioners.
Another common question is regarding the Mona Lisa’s eyebrows and eyelashes. Many notice that she is lacking both which gives her a slightly strange appearance. Pascal Cotte, an engineer and inventor, used a high-definition camera in 2007 to prove that she does in fact have those features. It is likely that both have disappeared as the painting aged.
Additionally, many also wonder about The Mona Lisa’s smile. Is it real? Why does it look so strange? Is she even smiling? The answer is complicated. Da Vinci had studied human anatomy, even using dead bodies in research. He used his knowledge wisely. If you were to look at the Mona Lisa’s eyes, the shadows and position of the muscles would fool you into thinking she was smiling. On the other hand, if you looked at her lips, you would only see a weak grin. Not only did he have to use several art techniques, but he also had to have studied human anatomy and muscles to pull off such a masterpiece. The Mona Lisa was an art piece which combined painting techniques and art and creativity with human anatomy and science.
It is also quite surprising to know that the Mona Lisa looks different from how it was originally painted. Da Vinci had students who would ‘copy’ his work or in other words, try to learn from him during the time he was painting a piece. The only definite copy made at the same time of the actual Mona Lisa is the piece called ‘The Mona Lisa (Prado)’. The painting was restored in 2012 and it’s ‘true’ colours were shown. This painting showed the vibrant colours better than the original (whose varnish has cracked and turned yellow with age). Thanks to the copy, we now have a clearer understanding of how the painting looked many years ago.
Yet, the question still remains: Why is the painting so beloved? Amidst a variety of vibrant, ambient paintings in the Louvre, how is the Mona Lisa the most popular? The first possible answer is that the painting is simply a masterpiece. The brush strokes, delicate veil and realism are all undoubtedly fantastic. To many, the painting is different from others. It isn’t just a normal portrait. It includes a smile, rarely drawn in portraits at the time, and signs of the painter’s scientific knowledge. But could that alone be the reason behind the painting’s intense fame?
Many argue that the painting’s history also contributed to its fame. Leonardo Da Vinci took 4 years to paint the masterpiece. He then gave it to the king at the time who kept it in his royal collection of paintings. After the revolution, it was hung in Napoleon Bonaparte’s bedroom. Finally, it found its home in the Louvre. Think the story’s over? Nope. In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. Once found, it took a tour around Italy before returning to France. The artwork was also protected and hidden in different parts of France in WW2. Moreover, in 1963, the piece also took a tour around the USA. And finally, in 1974, it visited Tokyo and Moscow. The painting certainly has quite an interesting history.
To conclude, it is still debatable whether the Mona Lisa deserves the fame it has. Many label it as a weak painting – easy to overlook in the Louvre, whilst others call it a truly astonishing masterpiece. In the end, it is up to you to come up with the decision: Is the Mona Lisa a masterpiece?
