The Mona Lisa is one of the most famous pieces of art since its creation almost 500 years ago. So I’ve wondered, is it the style of the painting or the mystery of the woman herself that has kept audiences intrigued?
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| Mona Lisa |
The Mona Lisa currently resides in its permanent home at the Louvre (Musée du Louvre) in Paris, France. It was at the Louvre three years ago, when I encountered this timeless piece. My first reaction was- where is it? Then I saw the crowd in the center of the large gallery, hovering over the unseen piece. Right away I knew it was Di Vinci’s masterpiece.
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| Said to be a self portrait of Leonardo Di Vinci |
It was beautiful yes, but unexpectedly small. Isn’t art supposed to be great in talent and in size? The Mona Lisa measures 30 by 21 inches. That’s about two and a half feet tall and almost two feet wide, about the size of a portrait. A short distance away, Jupiter Striking Down the Vices, hangs high above heads of visitors yet the Mona Lisa keeps their attention.
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| Jupiter Striking Down the Vices Critiques have contributed the fame of the portrait to the mystery of the woman, thought to be the wife of Francisco del Giocondo, who commissioned Di Vinci for the portrait approximately 1505. The gaze of the mysterious subject is striking, as well as her curious smile. However, the fame of the piece goes beyond the woman and into the technique itself. The three quarter pose of the subject was revolutionary. To us, we find it normal for a subject to sit in such a pose but 500 hundred years ago, the portrait style of the 16th century was not only stiff in character, but profile stance. Today, this revolutionary pose is the default (defacto) for portrait painting. Another unique trait of the Mona Lisa, unseen until its creation, was the use of “pyramidal composition.” Mona Lisa sits with her hands folded, forming the bottom of the pyramid as her elbows extend out, giving the portrait its shape, then up to her face, the top of the pyramid. Portraits before were heavy and full length, not allowing the eye to connect with one focal point. |
Like other artists during the Renaissance period, Leonardo Di Vinci used a more realist style to bring his 2D subject to life. He used a brand new technique called “sfumato” that was coined by the artist meaning “blending”. Di Vinci created a shadowing effect in the hair and neckline of Mona Lisa, as well as the landscape, to give depth and a more realistic look.
Di Vinci was one of the most celebrated artists of the Renaissance and is still celebrated today. The Mona Lisa remains timeless because of the revolutionary skills used in its making as well as the frozen smile that keeps audiences hundreds of years later wondering what she was thinking.
It has been reproduced by artists, advertisers, as well as mockers. However, the Mona Lisa continues to be the subject of debate and the celebration of talent. Although I did not meet her distinctive gaze, I admire art and the fame of the Mona Lisa. I’ve learned that great art can come in small sizes.
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| An example of pop culture art, inspired by the Mona Lisa |
Below is a FANTASTIC video discussing the Mona Lisa and the techniques Di Vinci used to revolutionize art.
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