Mona Lisa Mania

The Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the history of art and
continues to inspire reproduction, parody, scientific theory, and more.
In 2003-2006 we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the painting
which now has it's own room at the Louve. The painting has achieved
celebrity status and is continually appearing as subject
of news articles around the globe.

Check here often for the latest Mona news.

Articles:
"For the Love of Mona Lisa" Detroit Free Press- Monday, August 1, 2005

Online Articles:
"Fans hail Mona Lisa's new setting " BBC News

"Mona Lisa 'happy' computer finds" BBC News

"Edinburgh creates Mona Lisa as you've never seen her" BBC Press Office

Birthday: 1503-1506
Birthplace: Florence, Italy
Current home: The Louvre, Paris, France
Stats: 20 7/8" x 30", oil on poplar wood.
Marital Status: Married to Francesco del Giocondo
since 1495
Working On: Being most celebrated painting in the world
I stay home to watch: Singers, musicians, jesters
and The Sopranos
Favorite singer: Nat King Cole
Favorite dish: Savino Sorbet
Prized possessions: *Sfumato, *Chiaroscuro, my new room
Personal hero: Leonardo Da Vinci
Nobody knows: Why I’m smiling
If I could do it over: I’d have a contract with royalties
I’d give anything to meet: Madonna
My fantasy is: To model for Versace
The one thing I can’t stand: Paparazzi
If I could change one thing about myself: I’d be larger
My most irrational act: Being stolen in 1911
Most humbling experience: *L.H.O.O.Q.
The words that best describe me: Lisa Gherardini, Mona Lisa, La Gioconda

Mona Lisa has been spotted making the rounds with
Leo da Vinci in Italy and Paris. Ever the trend setters they've
attracted the likes of Raphael, and a host of other Leo
wanna be's who imitate their trendy styles. Lisa is not into
jewelry or frills, preferring a more natural look. She doesn't
like to sign autographs and rarely does interviews guarding her
privacy. Leo will sign autographs, backwards.

*Sfumato is the famous invention of Da Vinci - light and shade that allow one form to blend in with another leaving something to the imagination. He did this to the corners of Mona Lisa' mouth and eyes which explains why she may look different and different times.

*Chiaroscuro the distribution of light and shade in a picture

*L.H.O.O.Q. in 1919 Dada painter Marcel Duchamp put a mustache and goatee on a reproduction of the Mona Lisa. The letters read phonetically in French: Elle a chaud au cul (she has a hot arse.)