The adulation of the Mona Lisa tells a story about popular culture.
Anyone who ever had to endure endless queues to see Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa will understand this question of its popularity.
Nestled among our civilization’s most magnificent creations, the story of the world’s most famous painting is not so much a story about artistic merit, but about how art breaks into our culture.
Had Vincenzo Peruggia not lifted the painting off the Louvre wall in 1911, would the elusive smile be as enchanting today as to draw nearly 80% of all visitors to the museum just to see it?
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.
Photo Credit: Mihai Andritoiu
Support Fair Observer
We rely on your support for our independence, diversity and quality.
For more than 10 years, Fair Observer has been free, fair and independent. No billionaire owns us, no advertisers control us. We are a reader-supported nonprofit. Unlike many other publications, we keep our content free for readers regardless of where they live or whether they can afford to pay. We have no paywalls and no ads.
In the post-truth era of fake news, echo chambers and filter bubbles, we publish a plurality of perspectives from around the world. Anyone can publish with us, but everyone goes through a rigorous editorial process. So, you get fact-checked, well-reasoned content instead of noise.
We publish 2,500+ voices from 90+ countries. We also conduct education and training programs
on subjects ranging from digital media and journalism to writing and critical thinking. This
doesn’t come cheap. Servers, editors, trainers and web developers cost
money.
Please consider supporting us on a regular basis as a recurring donor or a
sustaining member.
Will you support FO’s journalism?
We rely on your support for our independence, diversity and quality.
Is Diplomacy a Useless Relic of the Romantic Past?
In times of geopolitical reconfiguration, we might imagine the world’s focus would be on the kind of messy problem-solving we...
The Hidden Gem of a Mid-Century Modern Church
Half Moon Bay, CA, is home to one of the best examples of mid-century modern design in a Catholic church....
The Art & Science of Happiness
"The Art and Science of Happiness" unveils a captivating exploration of joy, blending the essence of art and science. Delve...
