What is it about her smile that has captivated so many? She resides at the Louvre museum in Paris where millions come for the sole purpose of gazing upon that enchanting smile. At an estimated $780 million dollars she has become an iconic face in history (Trowbridge 1). Who is Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa? Is her real identity hidden beneath the surface? Is the Mona Lisa a portrait of a wealthy merchant's wife? Or, in the most controversial theory yet, is the Mona Lisa a self-portrait?
No person fits the description of “Renaissance man” quite like the great Leonardo Da Vinci. He was an artist, inventor, and scientist whose creative genius led him to make discoveries well beyond his time. Da Vinci was born an illegitimate son to wealthy Florentine notary Ser Piero on April 15, 1452 (Biography). He was raised only by his father in the town of Vinci, Italy(1). His father played a key role in introducing Leonardo into the artistic world. At an early age Leo was given an apprenticeship with Andrea del Verrocchio, famous painter, sculptor, and goldsmith by his father(Leonardo Da Vinci).
Some dare say that after only a few years the student had become the teacher and Da Vinci had grown to be a master of his craft. He had learned the techniques of perspective that gave all his paintings grand realism. For the rest of his life Da Vinci would go on to pursue opportunities in Milan, Rome, and finally France. Above all curiosity is what led him exceed the boundaries of the art and sciences. He lived day by day observing, experimenting, drawing, and constantly recording all his studies(). Although this is true Da Vinci was at times in conflict due to the fact that he was intensely intrigued by so many things. Many saw him as conflicted with himself because, “Leonardo's interests were so broad, and he was so often compelled by new subjects that he usually left projects unfinished” says one source(Da Vinci the Artist). Da Vinci left behind thousands of ideas that at the time European scholars believed preposterous or too overly complex to be realized.(1) Nevertheless, Da Vinci managed to leave an incomparable mark on the world of art and sciences.
An example of this is one of his most famous and beloved painting, The Mona Lisa. It combines his passion of painting and science. In it we see applied the famous golden ratio. This golden ratio or” De divine propotione” is a mathematical sequence for aesthetic beauty. Da Vinci was a master of this and it could be a possible explanation to why the Mona Lisa is such an intriguing and eye pleasing painting.
Many have fabricated conspiracies to explain the Mona Lisa's peculiar smile. The conspiracies include: a hidden figure beneath the painting itself, the inspiration coming from a famous merchant's wife, and a puzzling resemblance of La gioconda to DaVinci himself.
The first conspiracy claims there is a hidden painting underneath the surface of the Mona Lisa which tells the true identity of the sitter (Nikkah 1). The image was found by Pascal Cotte, a French scientist, using reflective light technology(1). It works by projecting intense lights on the painting and then a camera records the information of the reflections to reconstruct the image underneath(1). Cotte claims that the original portrait is absent of the enigmatic smile that has captured the attention of so many(1). He objects that the original Mona was also in a different sitting position looking off to the side(1). Cotte was able to reconstruct the chronology of the construction of the painting and then concluded the identity was not Lisa Gherardini. (1).
On the contrary a Professor of the history of art at the University of Oxford asserts that the found images may be fascinating yet lacking. The information relayed by the technology can be interpreted in various ways, but it cannot be taken as effective by one individual only (1).
The second conspiracy pinpoints the distinctive features of the mona lisa on its creator. This theory is pursued by the Italian National Committee for Cultural Heritage (Did Leonardo Paint Himself as “Mona Lisa” 1). To explore this theory they are searching for Da Vinci's body. The body is believed to be in France within a French Castle (1). Thus, they are seeking permission from French authorities to search for the body (1) . They want to reconstruct his facial features and compare those his painting (1).
However, the potential to see this happen is small since the process of getting approval is long especially in the case of Da Vinci. Leonardo first moved to France after King Francis the first named him painter of the king (1). He spent his last years there and then died in Cloux in 1519 (1). The theory has aroused and divided many. It is suggested that Leonardo's love for riddles and pranks could be the reason for why he would conceal his identity behind the infamous smile. It is even rumored it is a clue that may prove his presumed homosexuality (1).
The third conspiracy tells that the true identity of the Mona Lisa is a noblewoman by the name of Lisa Gherardini (Work Mona Lisa – Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, Wife of Francesco Del Giocondo 1) . This theory is questioned due to the lack of high status noblewoman attire. The Mona Lisa wears plain sleeves, creased fabric and a delicate scarf. This would be uncommon and unappropriate for the status of Lisa. However, it is suspected that the painting could have been commissioned for two events. The first is when Francesco del Giocondo and his wife Lisa Gherardini bought their own house (1). The second event is the birth of their second son Andrea. Both events would have happened between the time range of when Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.
Some dare say that after only a few years the student had become the teacher and Da Vinci had grown to be a master of his craft. He had learned the techniques of perspective that gave all his paintings grand realism. For the rest of his life Da Vinci would go on to pursue opportunities in Milan, Rome, and finally France. Above all curiosity is what led him exceed the boundaries of the art and sciences. He lived day by day observing, experimenting, drawing, and constantly recording all his studies(). Although this is true Da Vinci was at times in conflict due to the fact that he was intensely intrigued by so many things. Many saw him as conflicted with himself because, “Leonardo's interests were so broad, and he was so often compelled by new subjects that he usually left projects unfinished” says one source(Da Vinci the Artist). Da Vinci left behind thousands of ideas that at the time European scholars believed preposterous or too overly complex to be realized.(1) Nevertheless, Da Vinci managed to leave an incomparable mark on the world of art and sciences.
An example of this is one of his most famous and beloved painting, The Mona Lisa. It combines his passion of painting and science. In it we see applied the famous golden ratio. This golden ratio or” De divine propotione” is a mathematical sequence for aesthetic beauty. Da Vinci was a master of this and it could be a possible explanation to why the Mona Lisa is such an intriguing and eye pleasing painting.
Many have fabricated conspiracies to explain the Mona Lisa's peculiar smile. The conspiracies include: a hidden figure beneath the painting itself, the inspiration coming from a famous merchant's wife, and a puzzling resemblance of La gioconda to DaVinci himself.
The first conspiracy claims there is a hidden painting underneath the surface of the Mona Lisa which tells the true identity of the sitter (Nikkah 1). The image was found by Pascal Cotte, a French scientist, using reflective light technology(1). It works by projecting intense lights on the painting and then a camera records the information of the reflections to reconstruct the image underneath(1). Cotte claims that the original portrait is absent of the enigmatic smile that has captured the attention of so many(1). He objects that the original Mona was also in a different sitting position looking off to the side(1). Cotte was able to reconstruct the chronology of the construction of the painting and then concluded the identity was not Lisa Gherardini. (1).
On the contrary a Professor of the history of art at the University of Oxford asserts that the found images may be fascinating yet lacking. The information relayed by the technology can be interpreted in various ways, but it cannot be taken as effective by one individual only (1).
The second conspiracy pinpoints the distinctive features of the mona lisa on its creator. This theory is pursued by the Italian National Committee for Cultural Heritage (Did Leonardo Paint Himself as “Mona Lisa” 1). To explore this theory they are searching for Da Vinci's body. The body is believed to be in France within a French Castle (1). Thus, they are seeking permission from French authorities to search for the body (1) . They want to reconstruct his facial features and compare those his painting (1).
However, the potential to see this happen is small since the process of getting approval is long especially in the case of Da Vinci. Leonardo first moved to France after King Francis the first named him painter of the king (1). He spent his last years there and then died in Cloux in 1519 (1). The theory has aroused and divided many. It is suggested that Leonardo's love for riddles and pranks could be the reason for why he would conceal his identity behind the infamous smile. It is even rumored it is a clue that may prove his presumed homosexuality (1).
The third conspiracy tells that the true identity of the Mona Lisa is a noblewoman by the name of Lisa Gherardini (Work Mona Lisa – Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, Wife of Francesco Del Giocondo 1) . This theory is questioned due to the lack of high status noblewoman attire. The Mona Lisa wears plain sleeves, creased fabric and a delicate scarf. This would be uncommon and unappropriate for the status of Lisa. However, it is suspected that the painting could have been commissioned for two events. The first is when Francesco del Giocondo and his wife Lisa Gherardini bought their own house (1). The second event is the birth of their second son Andrea. Both events would have happened between the time range of when Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.
Leonardo Da Vinci created was an intellectual genius who left an incomparable mark on art and sciences. He created great works of art, but none stand out as much as The Mona Lisa. She captivates everyone who lays their eyes upon her. She is considered to be one of the most famous paintings in the world. Around her revolve many theories about her identity. Theories included are the following:
Is her real identity hidden beneath the surface?
Is the Mona Lisa reminiscent of Leonardo himself?
Is she the wife of a wealthy merchant?
The best theory that solves the conspiracy is that the muse is Lisa Gherardini. However, the mystery remains due to lack of evidence. The painting of The Mona Lisa will continue to mesmerize people for years to come.
Works Cited
"Did Leonardo Paint Himself as "Mona Lisa"?" CBSNews. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 08 Dec.
2016.
"Mona Lisa – Fact or Fiction? 50 Fantastic Things to Know!" TeachKidsArt. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2016
Nikkhah, Roya. "Hidden Portrait 'found under Mona Lisa', Says French Scientist." BBC News.
Trowbridge, Cheryl. Art History, Da Vinci, Leonardo, Famous Artists, Lessons, Oil Paint, Old Masters, Painting, People, Portraits / Self-Portraits, Realism. February 4, 2015.
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