The Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa

Have you ever wondered: Why is the image of the Mona Lisa so intriguing? Why is her image plastered upon everything from underwear to hang-bags?
>Is she just a good-looking lady??
>Did Leonardo just have a poor trademark lawyer??
> Is she Jesus in disguise??

Some of the reasons for the Mona Lisa’s fame are straightforward & factual:

1. Indeed the Mona Lisa was painted by a world-famous artist (even more so now because of that Da Vinci Code )
2. The Mona Lisa was stolen in 1911 & but later returned in 1913. (notoriety always gains attention).3. The Mona Lisa hangs in one of the most famous museums in the world (you even have to wait in line under a glass pyramid for a couple of hours to get in).

Still, something about this painting captures the human imagination. No other painting has been reproduced, parodied, and placed upon more human paraphernalia. ((Despite sappy ballads & ear slicing, it even beats Van Gogh’s ‘Starry, Starry Night.’))

Why?

Several folks have put forth their theories about the Mona Lisa’s 'enigmatic smile.' 1.The Scientific Theory: the Mona Lisa’s smile is captivating because the human eye naturally focuses its gaze upon the Mona Lisa’s eyes, whereupon her smile falls in the ‘less accurate peripheral vision.’ Shadows on the Mona Lisa’s cheekbone make her look like she is smiling. But when the eye actually focuses on her mouth she's not smiling! 2. The Ridiculous Theory: the Mona Lisa’s smile actually reveals her secret: she is pregnant by Leonardo!! (No wait, he was gay) 3. The Sexy Theory: The Mona Lisa is actually Leonardo himself in drag. He originally had a model, but she got pissed off and left. He had to use his own self-portrait to finish the painting! (suggested by digital imagining analysis) Hence this androgynous combination makes for an intriguing picture that neither women nor men can resist staring at. 4. The Mathematical Theory: Leonardo used the 'golden ratio' when he painted the Mona Lisa. This geometric ratio of perfection -- also used in the Parthenon—attracts the human eye & inspires the perception of beauty. We can’t keep our eyes off her! 5. The Queer Theory: The Mona Lisa was a lesbian, and is simply revealing that knowing smile.

Below are two versions of the Mona Lisa, including my own: Mona Harold. (Note that Harold has no eyebrows, unlike Hillary)