Don't get me wrong, I think it's pretty cool, but exactly why is this painting so interesting?
2006-10-04 08:21:04 · 14 answers · asked by ♥vegetarian♥ 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
The sketches Leonardo did under that painting, the people he took to paint that painting, the way he did it, trying to put it in the Vatican way with hidden treasures, the material he used to paint it, and the list could go on. It is impressive for an artist/inventor at that time coming up with new techniques, styles, and not forgetting some inventions he did on the painting that were already done before him without realizing he wasn’t the only one.
Beauty at that time, and notice the change to today!
The only opinion I see today why people are obsessed with it, perhaps because of the painting’s age. It’s fragile and yet sensitive.
If something happens to that painting, wonder how many millions will go down the drain?
2006-10-11 00:40:08 · answer #1 · answered by LuÃs Guerra 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It has become a very cliche painting, hasn't it?
One of the important things about the Mona Lisa is that it created a standard for portrait painting. Not many people used the 3/4 view in portrait painting before then... but it was discovered that the 3/4 view is the most pleasant view for most portraits. (frontal is too "in your face," profile doesn't give enough information)
Another thing that draws people's attention is the subtlety of the tonal gradients between light and shadow. Leonardo was a master of this--painting shadows and highlights so subtley that it's hard to tell where one shadow begins and a highlight ends. It is this effect that gives her that mysterious smile that seems to look like it's moving.
Leonardo also did great things in the rendering of depth by giving the background a smoky atmosphere.
There are lots of reasons why people are so obsessed with the Mona Lisa... but I think the biggest reason is the media. Whenever there is talk of art, an image of the Mona Lisa ALWAYS comes up. If they did that with David's "The Oath of the Horatii," it would be "The Oath of the Horatii" that people would be obsessed with.
But that's my opinion, of course ^_^
Frankly, the Mona Lisa isn't one of my favorite paintings. Maybe I just need to see it in person to realize what the big deal is (and it's a lot smaller than what a lot of people think it is), but I find sweeping landscapes or scenes including action and several people to be more interesting that portrait paintings.
I hope my little speech here has helped. ^_^
2006-10-04 13:48:36 · answer #2 · answered by willow oak 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No brush strokes. Many experts have looked for brush strokes in his "smokey effect" work. No luck thus far so how he got that effect is still a mystery.
Most experts believe the model was Lisa Gherardini. The interesting thing is they now believe she was pregnant when the painting was made.
2006-10-04 08:22:47 · answer #3 · answered by toff 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Apparently it is the technique that DaVinci used...nobody really can figure it out. I think they just released a study on x-rays and tests they did to it recently, and even with that, it remains a mystery how he created that 'smokey' effect. It truly is a unique work of art.
2006-10-04 08:25:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is a good painting in itself, but also it was catapulted to the public eye when it was dramatically stolen a while back and subsequently recovered.
2006-10-04 14:13:20 · answer #5 · answered by rocketman0739 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's a self perpetuating cycle. The more people talk about her, the more they talk about her. And all that mystery helps. Also she is a magnificent work of art and we are fascinated by things that stretch our understanding of the limits of our human capabilities.
2006-10-04 10:29:33 · answer #6 · answered by foundobjectsman 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You got me..I have always found the painting nauseating. What an ugly woman..geeze and I thot I was! Doesn't do anything for me. However...I suppose it was the artist's view of what a woman should look like. Oh gawd Da Vinci...
2006-10-04 08:30:46 · answer #7 · answered by Shar 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It's very old . To me It's a nice painting.
2006-10-04 08:30:22 · answer #8 · answered by Jeffrey N 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
because nobody knows who is in the painting, no records been found of the person.
2006-10-04 08:25:40 · answer #9 · answered by Tyler Durdan 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
His style, her smile. It is something of a mystery and most people love that. ; )
2006-10-04 08:36:44 · answer #10 · answered by tantiemeg 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋