Gail Sauter

Leonardo da Vinci - Mona Lisa (La Giocanda) @ 1503

You know, sometimes all the modern technology that is currently available takes some of the fun out of life. For instance, a study done in Manchester, England using a 240 megapixel camera suggests that the Mona Lisa originally had eyebrows. Leonardo evidently painted them but either the paint faded because of a chemical reaction in the glaze that he used or restoration work done over the past 500 years has simply wiped them away. They also found that the sky was a bright blue and the shape of her face was wider.

Hmmmm. I know its good to learn and make discoveries, but I also think the allure of the painting has a voice that speaks beyond the facts. I like her enigmatic gaze and her missing eyebrows is all part of it. I prefer to think their absence was intentional… and don’t talk to me about Santa Clause or the tooth fairy. Sometimes we need a little fantasy and romance.

Thanks, Leonardo, I love a good story.

Subscribe: Click Here