The Mona Lisa Mystery

The Mona Lisa in the Louvre is the most famous work of art in the world. Millions of visitors admire her every year. She has become synonymous with beauty and perfection.
But did you know that the Mona Lisa was relatively unknown until it was stolen in 1911. Or that there is a second Mona Lisa? The so-called Isleworth Mona Lisa is hotly disputed but many believe it is the work of the master.
Was the Mona Lisa from the Louvre not Da Vinci’s first portrait of this "certain Florentine lady"? Now, with the help of modern science and new sources, some of the secrets of the Mona Lisa can finally be revealed.

#dwhistoryandculture #monalisa

[chriscarrol]

The funny thing is I wouldn't be surprised if we brought him back and he said " both where painted by my students. I had more important things to do"

[costrio]

I like the idea that while experimenting with canvas for Giacondo's portrait he painted the unfinished version and then years later, using his refined techniques to create the Louvre version.
A quotation that I got online some time back from Leornado (allegedly) seems to fit the bill:
"Art is never finished, only abandoned."

[cynthiana]

The idea that the second painting rests hidden in a vault feels like a crime. Art, without being seen, has no purpose.

[MSS-gf]

Sean Pertwee could narrate a HR policy and procedures manual and make it sound mysterious.

[s.o.]

Fell asleep to this 5 nights in a row. Mystery? 10/10. Nerd factor? 10/10. Unintentional ASMR? 11/10

[JonnoPlays]

Seems to me that the evidence is telling us the design may have been a sort of work-study exercise where Leonardo taught his students principles he needed them to know.

[alecbrown]

Back in art history in high school, i remember being taught that Leonardo had something like 7 Mona Lisa's spread around his home, studio, and travel packs, that he kind of worked on each over time, improving them until he reached the perfection of the Louvre version.

[elianewinter]

20:45 i‘m slightly disappointed that none of the costume designers gave that actress a veil. if you look closely at the Mona Lisa paintings you can see the lady portrayed wearing a delicate piece of cloth over her hair

[flashladderacrobat]

Oooh i just started watching this, Art, Mystery, History, and Leonardo, what more is needed? Wonderful.

[fabiodeoliveiraribeiro]

One thing is certain, unlike several abandoned and unfinished works by the somewhat vagabond artist, the Mona Lisa was finished. The painting was certainly started by Leonardo Da Vinci. But it is not possible to say whether he himself finished the painting.

[ArtMarketExplained]

46:34 explaining Leonardo da Vinci with the Ponte Vecchio in the background is a feast for the eyes 😍 bravo

[whophd]

Douglas Adams wrote a Doctor Who episode about multiple Mona Lisa paintings in 1979

[aurraliite]

A very fascinating film documentary. I love the detail of the history of these people.

[ghost.ranger]

Did anyone think that Leonardo wanted to fulfill his promise of the portrait to the family so he started painting a second one to send to them with Mona Lisa aged slightly because it had been years later. Sometimes when people get toward the end of their life they think of the things they never finished and try to get things done.

[ziziroberts]

I got to see an amazing exhibit of Leonardo's notebooks and diagrams in Montreal in the late 80s. He waa so much more than a portrait painter.

[markwriter]

These stories always end with, “gee I don’t know.”

[sgfx]

It's fascinating how contemporary experts claim to have a profound understanding of a man who lived about 500 years ago, arguably more than those who were his contemporaries. Leonardo da Vinci was an artist with innovative ideas about machinery that he largely kept to himself and rarely shared. After his passing, even his apprentice discarded many of his notebooks, seeing no value in them. Yet, today's "scholars" believe they can decipher every thought that crossed his mind with each stroke of his brush. Like many brilliant minds, Leonardo was likely prone to distraction and quickly lost interest once he had figured out a concept, moving on to the next idea without completing the previous project. This trait is common among creative geniuses who excel in conceptualizing but may not follow through to completion. The experts who claim to thoroughly understand him are the same ones who find shapes in the stars and animals in the clouds, attempting to convince themselves and others of their existence.

[ROCKIN-AL]

It's said that he carried the painting everywhere he went, evidently it was special to him

[dlschgo]

It was with him at the end of his life. I've read before that there are records of him having the painting with him whenever he relocated. And other mentions of him destroying one and starting over.

[fjmugwump]

Truly excellent program! In it I learned how the Master created the alluring effect of the Mona Lisa’s eyes following mine as I walked up to it when exhibited at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. Da Vinci achieved this thrilling effect by the repeated application of fine thin layers of the unique varnish he created to enhance the portrait’s eyes. Testimony to his genius and painstaking work. Viewing the old girl from a distance behind thick bullet proof glass at the Louvre today would be disappointing !