Picture by Edal Anton Lefterov
Image: Visitors of the Louvre in front of the Mona Lisa
Image sourced through Wikimedia Commons (here)
The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci,has been acclaimed as
"the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung
about, the most parodied work of art in the world" - Wiki
Adorned at a section of the Louvre
A permanent display on view
Who was she of mysterious identity
Was it a portrait of Lisa Gherardini
None could claim
with all certainty
But it created an aura that captivated many
Fascination with the smile over many a century
Had subjected it to numerous cases of study
But sadly
Being acclaimed had created envy
In minds of those wrought with insanity
To cause mischief with impunity
Peruggia a Louvre employee
Had it stolen to return it to Italy
Vandalized with
quite a variety
A rock, a mug, red paint, and acid damaged it severely
But restoration effected with all ingenuity
In a bulletproof
glass case for safety
The enigmatic smile accorded immunity
Now preserved for posterity
Written for Victoria, hosting at d'Verse with prompt Meeting the Bar - Literary Allusion
I have seen the Mona Lisa behind its glass. Actually it was much smaller than I thought it would be. Because of its importance in the world of art, I always thought it would be a very large work of art. It isn't. I enjoyed your poem, Hank. It tweaked my memory.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary! That's right! I was disappointed myself. It was smaller than I had imagined. I saw it many years ago. When I walked over to another section, and I saw Venus de Milo, it looked more intriguing. In any case other bigger paintings around the Museum caught my eye better. If not knowing of it, Mona Lisa seemed just another painting.
DeleteHank
i dont know if i knew that about it being stolen...i just looked it up and read the story...how interesting...def one of the most well known paintings of all time...and still carries the intrigue as well...
ReplyDeleteAccording to Wiki,yes,it was stolen by Peruggia in 1911
DeleteHank
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI almost used Mona Lisa in mine, but now I'm glad I didn't. This is excellent!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie! I took it on, it being famous!
DeleteHank
I am not surprised at all that you chose Mona Lisa, combining your love for art and poetry.
ReplyDeleteMade its way into books, movies, songs. When I was in Form Six, before leaving for Canada, a local school boy band dedicated us this song . Senyum Monalisa. They sang it to us in the school open yard and caused quite a stir!
Adakah engkau, ataupun khayalan
Senyum Monalisa
Pelukismu yang kini tiada
Membuat dirimu terkenal di bumi
Tiada putih, hitam atau kuning
Semua manusia kagum kepadamu
Senyuman cinta ataupun sindiran
Senyum Monalisa
Ninot Ma'am,
DeleteLooking at the prompt, a painting is easier I thought.Those band-boys sure knew how to appreciate that smile for a good send-off for you belles!
Thanks for favoring us with a BM pantun. It's certainly a privilege!
Hank
very nice..were you aware that painted under one eye is his initials, and presumably under the other eye the initials of the model? either he was trying to just be poetic or clever, or maybe he guessed they'd be seen somehow in the future....just something to think about..
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that! Yes there could have been.In fact having passed through many hands for over 500 years one of the restorers could have messed with it!
DeleteHank
It's sad when such beautiful creations get stolen. I have never seen the Monalisa in reality, just read in books, but yes, I am intrigued by whatever I have read.
ReplyDeleteIt was only returned after 2 years in 1913
DeleteHank
Very intriguing subject of art indeed. I admire the most talked about painting of a lady in the whole world. Did not know that it was stolen until I read it here.
ReplyDeleteYes, and we're not even sure of her true identity.
DeleteHank
When ever there is a value to it
ReplyDeleteThieves will arise indeed
Never knew it was smaller though
Until I read your show
I was disappointed
DeleteNot really anointed
So ordinary it looked
But it created spooks
Hank
Once art becomes a symbol, it attracts all kinds of craziness as well as reverence. Enjoyed this much, Hank.
ReplyDeleteThat is right Joy. There's that certain attraction for mischief!
DeleteHank
I've never seen her, either, and was surprised at the small size as this photo shows. I recently read "Killing Kennedy" and there was an impressive discussion about Jackie Kennedy's efforts to bring her to the USA and the extensive security surrounding her transport and exhibition which included the Secret Service! And now another poet/artist has payed her tribute.
ReplyDeleteWhen it was brought to Tokyo, it was vandalized. It could have attracted extra attention in a new place. Thanks Victoria! ML was not just any lady even though she looked ordinary
DeleteHank
Fun exploration of this icon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sabio!
DeleteYes I have been in that room. Everyone there waited in expectation, but the experience for me was that of ordinariness, the picture was tiny on the wall and somehow the people gazing there in their first sight of the painting were just in shock at how small it was.
ReplyDeleteYes they were shocked I could well imagine!
DeleteHank
Hi Hank! So very well penned!! A great story and all in rhyme that is entertaining, fluid and unforced-impressive:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sara
DeleteI cannot stand the crowds...could not even really get near it... That monstrous glass pryramid should be blown up by someone.That is what the Perugian employee should have done instead of vandalising the Mona Lisa.
ReplyDeleteYes there was always a crowd. When I was there we were led in group by group.There was strict crowd control.May be it's more difficult to blow it up now,I guess! Thanks Cressida!
ReplyDeleteHank
hope you have a great weekend friend....travel light...we have a long weekend next week
ReplyDeleteCan't say I'm a huge fan of the portrait myself, but I like the history and the "fun" it has created over the years. Nice historic poem!
ReplyDelete