THE MONALISA
The mystery and controversy that surrounds the Monalisa is one of the reasons that it is still very popular today. The mystery of Leonardos life as written by Vasari and his quirky methods of sleeping, learning, and even writing (backwards) has earned the painting much of its mystique. (Aspect Art) This basically shows that the painting, as much as it is mysterious in itself, also reflects the eccentricities of the artist who made it. To date, there is still some degree of mystery as to who the Monalisa is, in terms of subject, No one is wholly sure who the model was for the Mona Lisa. (Aspect Art) The identity of the painting is not the only reason that it is still an unsolved mystery. Of course, there have been many assumptions as to who the Monalisa is, but the world has yet to definitely confirm this hypothesis. There are even speculations that the Monalisa is in fact a self-portrait of the artist himself rendered in the guise of a female. Worse, for a time there was even a group who declared that the Monalisa was in fact a female version of Leonardo. (DePaula) This is only part of the reason why this particular painting arouses the curiosity of the viewing public. The Monalisa had also been involved in many high profile crimes it was stolen from the Louvre, to name one. In August 21, 1911 the Monalisa suddenly disappeared from the Louvre. Since the painting was so popular and so valuable, the theft made international headlines further amplifying the fame of Monalisa. Three years later, an amazing thing happened -- she was found. This attention brought on by the theft and return of the painting caused people to take notice, especially details like the Mona Lisas smile. (DePaula) The smile, in itself, is synonymous with beauty and the perfect enigmatic smile as some would put it. Apart from being the subject of high profile crimes the Monalisa had also been put under much scrutiny like experiments and the like. Many studies have tried to uncover details beneath the layer of paint, date the painting, test it for DNA and even trace it back to biblical times. Some more bizarre experiments on the piece include trying to recreate the voice of the model by mapping the painting alone and explaining why the Monalisa smile is so mysterious. In a particular study, a group determined that natural noise found on the painting (equivalent to the snow seen on a badly tuned TV set) makes people observing the picture believe its expression is subtly changing. (Cohen) No other painting in the world aside from the Shroud of Turin has been subjected to so much attention and scrutiny as the Monalisa which explains why many people would want to go to the Louvre and actually lay their eyes on the real thing.
This particular painting is also very popular because it has been the subject of many other modern and popular media such as television, the movies, books, and even songs. Interestingly, like many popular recording artists of today, the Mona Lisa went on a world tour. (DePaula) adding to its already unprecedented popularity. The Monalisa has its own cameo appearance in Dan Browns novel The DaVinci Code and was also featured in the movie of the same title. The movie, topping bills all over the world, dragged the painting along in its popularity. So, as a result, many people would like to see the actual painting to confirm, if in fact what the novelmovie revealed are true where it is presented as as an androgynous self-portrait (Miesel) of Leonardo Da Vinci himself. The Mona Lisa did not make the annual Top Ten list until after The Da Vinci Code film was released and the renowned work of art was featured in it. (Overstock) Of course, this does not mean that without the movie Monalisa would not be as popular as it is today because media plays a very important role in how this particular painting is perceived by the people in general. The media has caused the painting to become an icon of many things and it has also resulted in many people either wanting to see the painting or visit the painting first hand. A lot of people like to keep up with the latest trends in design, and the media is a key influencer in what is deemed hip and desirable.(Overstock) The Monalisa is even featured in recent art pieces and movements such as the Double Monalisa by Andy Warhol and imager of Marcel Duchamp. The Monalisa is so popular nowadays that even singers and composers write songs or sing about it such as in the song Monalisa by Nat King Cole. In response to the oversaturation of her image and the worldwide recognition of her face, the up and coming arts movements began taking notice and born were the images of Marcel Duchamp in L.H.O.O.Q, Andy Warhols colored negatives, and Nat King Coles songs. (Aspect Art)
Of course, the main reason why many people still visit the Monalisa is because it is the work of a great artist, inventor, illustrator, and sculptor, Leonardo Da Vinci. More than anything else, his identity as the artist has helped build up the painting to the kind of international cultdom it now holds. (Aspect Art) Leonardo Da Vinci, having painted the Monalisa gave it its identity. Artists, painters, cultural and social enthusiasts from all over the world visit the painting to, first and foremost, learn something about the artist. This, to begin with, is the primary reason for peoples appreciating a work of art. The painting is representative of the ideals, the principles, the belief systems, the emotions, as well as the period in which a particular artist survived. So, more than just the mystery, the controversy, and the media blitz that the Monalisa receives, it is the fact that it was created by a legend that makes it so popular today. To note as well is reality that Leonardo Da Vinci used a unique technique in creating the painting. What was most impressive is Leonardos use of the sfumato technique this is what makes the Mona Lisa the Mona Lisa. The technique creates a mysterious look. (DePaula) This technique is characterized by using a series of very small paint dots to create the entire picture therefore blurring the lines and distinct transitions from light to dark in the painting. This painstaking process is the reason why Da Vinci had to work on the painting for four years before it was finally completed. The result of this technique is a painting that has an internal or inherent glow or blur. This makes the painting all the more mysterious.
Whatever the reasons for the popularity of the Monalisa one thing cannot be denied that because of the many people going to the Louvre to visit and see the painting, it might as well be the reason for the existence of the Louvre. However, one should not overlook the truth that there are other paintings in the Louvre aside from just the Monalisa. This means that whoever goes to the Louvre to see the Monalisa will also likely view the other paintings that are in there that were created by the great masters visual arts. The Monalisa is simply the gateway for other people to learn about all the other art pieces that are in the Louvre or all the pieces that are in one way or another connected to the Monalisa. The Monalisa is, in this case, a means for people to discover art forms that are obscure but are exposed because of the Monalisa. This is one of the advantages of having such a significant work of art.
We are all slaves of perception and the mere fact that we all seem to be interested in and curious of the Monalisa is an expression of this slavery. However, such slavery is not fully based on the existence of the Monalisa but on the human thirst for knowledge. The Monalisa is a piece that challenges the sources of knowledge and is, in effect an initiator of mans eternal search for enlightenment. Over and above all reasons, this is the primary source of the interest and the curiosity that people have of the Monalisa. This basically proves that the reason why the Monalisa is still profusely visited today by patrons from all over the world is the fact that first, the Monalisa is a source of much mystery and controversy, and second, because it is the subject of most of the modern and popular media of expression, and finally, because it is a representative of a great master, Leonardo Da Vinci. These three reasons may be construed as superficial but they very well explain why even someone reading this essay would resolve to see the Monalisa in the Louvre before the end of this life.
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