Mona Lisa- who cares??

Question

Okay, beautiful painting, beautiful woman (I like that she's got some meat on her), lovely painting effects and whatnot (heh, like I'd know), but WHO GIVES A WIDGET WHAT SHE'S SMILING ABOUT? Honestly, I don't understand the fascination. She's just a cheeky lady smiling for a portrait. I don't believe that scholars have actually asked for grants to research who she is and why she's friggen smiling...

Answer 1

The portrait full of mystery and secrets is painted on a 77x53 cm large poplar-wood. It is the most famous work of Leonardo da Vinci.
Originally the painting was larger than today, because two columns, one on the left the other one on the right side of Mona Lisa, have been cut. That is the reason why it is not easy to recognize that Mona Lisa is sitting on a terrace.
It is also mentionable that many details are not visible today, because they are partially damaged and some parts of Mona Lisa are painted over.
However the characteristic of the famous painting is still existing. The characteristic consists in the detailed background which disappears in the misty atmosphere (this is called "sfumato" technique), the perfect portrayed Mona Lisa and of course her hypnotically smile.

Answer 2

You are discussing a very important work in Art Hiistory, so do not underestimate it. The ancient Greeks achieved high levels in all of Civilization's Arts, but there was deterioration when Rome conquered greece and even more when Barabarians overan Rome. A Dark Ages endured a millennium. Then, The Renaissance began and Italian painter strove to equal the ancient Greeks, eg Apelles, Zeuxis and Polygnotus. Three High Renaissance4 painters did actually equal the Greeks: Raphael Urbino,Lleonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarotti. In the Baroque period, Jan Vermeer van Delft became the greatest painter who ever lived, and Diego Velasquez was next. sadly, there was d3eterioration again. Witness the garbage passsing as painting in the 20th Century. Whether you can comprehend paintings or not, many people do. i have a degree in Art. I suggesst you study the subject much more and stop premature rants. I don't like the Mona Lisqa that wello, but I appreciate its contribution to the history of Art. So should you,.

Answer 3

It's a very important work. Leonardo da Vinci did not complete many paintings to this level of finish and it is also a superb example of the sfumato technique he invented. It also illustrates da Vinci's moti mentali, or motions of the mind. A moments thought caught in a facial gesture. The landscape depicted in the painting is a place where Leonardo would have probably surveyed on during his work with Cesare Borgia and thus gives credence to Leonardo's movements during his life time. This is part of its importance as a piece of art history.

As for its fame, well that has a lot to do with the mystery that surrounds the painting. What you have to appreciate is that you as a viewer has the right to like or dislike a painting but its importance is of no relevance to the general public . Its value lies with what information it can provide for the art historian. I agree that there have been far more beautiful paintings created during the Renaissance and beyond and that many painters other than Leonardo contributed to art but (and I'm putting my art historians hat on now) you can not compare a painting which is simply nice to look at to a painting which imparts so much valuable information and demands constant research

Ps

The Lipsi, I like your responses and think you've got a great attitude and a welcome sense of humour.

Answer 4

Mona Lisa.In my high school years I remember my teacher telling us to go home and stare at her picture so as to find out her secret.Well I've learnt after many years that this picture which can be either a disguised man or some chick of Da Vinci is a piece of art which represents contradiction.Is she smiling or not,is she a man or a woman? e.t.c.As a conclusion this painting shows the creator's amphithymic character and bisexuality from a more psychological view.
P.S. As for the conspiracy theories ,I don't know much but I think that there is no smoke without a fire.

Answer 5

I agree with you. The Mona Lisa is just a painting!!! I don't know if she was a real person, but it's justa portrait of a lady smiling at the viewers. I really hate when people add conspiracy theories that can never be proved. It just take the fun to admire the beauty and the quality of the painting itself.

Answer 6

Hi:

If you really look at this painting, and study it, you will see how incredible it is. She really isn't quite smiling, and the method and skill used to create the painting is so wonderful. It sounds like you don't have much art history knowledge, and not that it really matters in everyday life, but it just gives you more of an awareness of some of the great artworks created through the centuries.

I am more curious about (and saddened by) people who love the work of Thomas Kincade.

Answer 7

I don't see the draw either. I've seen it in person twice, the first time I went it wasn't that big of deal (about 5 years ago). The second time I went it was ridiculously hyped up (this past summer). Due to the Da Vinci Code everyone thinks there's some conspiracy with it, but honestly it's not that spectacular. The Louvre houses so many wonderful works of art, many of which are much more impressive.

Answer 8

Maybe she's smiling because she knew years down the road people would be so concerned over who she was and why she was smiling that she would always be famous.

I agree, grants should be used for education, not some sick fascination with a painting.

Answer 9

The Mona Lisa is a very much cliched and over-exposed painting. I wish scholars would find better uses for grants, such as funding art education in public schools.

Answer 10

Hurray for you....................

At last a question on the Mona Lisa that doesn't involve Dan F*cking Brown or some half-arsed conspiracy theory.

................and I'm with you, I actually quite the painting, but I'm not too bothered about who she is, why she's smiling, etc.

There are far more interesting paintings out there.

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...and in response to xyz, yes I have seen the real painting - many times, and I think most people are disappointed by how small it is, and the fact that you can't look at it properly because its behind bullt-proof glass, even if you can fight your way through all the Japanese tourists anyway.

A lot of fuss about very little.