Today I came across this article The enduring legacy of Leonardo da Vinci, 500 years on from his death posted by CNN on Twitter.
The photo uploaded by CNN made me smile because it reminded me of my visit to the Louvre Museum.
When it comes to Paris, I can name a few things, places you "must" visit. Let me name them: Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre (Mona Lisa), not necessarily in this order. I could name Disneyland too but that's another category and not a "must" at all for me.
Before leaving for Pris, I had a list with what I wanted to see and visit and of course, the Louvre was one on the list. I started my visit downstairs and tried to go through every room and admire all that is displayed. The problem is, you can't see everything in one day if you really want to look at every artifact and admire it. There's no time.
Not knowing where the painting can be found, I went on and looked at things like normal people do but when I saw closing time is near, I had to look for it. Finally I found the room and when I tried to enter, this is the scene that was expecting me.
A bunch of people standing in front of the painting, which is pretty small anyway (77 cm × 53 cm (30 in × 21 in)). All I could do is take a few photos from 7 or 8 meters, stand there for a few minutes and try to see something and that's all.
The painting is a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo, and is in oil on a white Lombardy poplar panel. It had been believed to have been painted between 1503 and 1506; however, Leonardo may have continued working on it as late as 1517. Recent academic work suggests that it would not have been started before 1513. It was acquired by King Francis I of France and is now the property of the French Republic, on permanent display at the Louvre Museum in Paris since 1797. source
I took a few photos, which were lost, so I guess I have to go back, use another strategy to get to the painting before others do so i can see with my own eyes from as close as possible.
Searching photos for this post I came across a few photos and saw that you can't go close to the painting. Unless you are standing in the front row, you can't see the painting.
I was not disappointed at all, as I knew the painting (who doesn't?) and I can't really say it's my favorite. I admit, it's a great artwork but if I were to choose, Mona Lisa would not be my choice :)
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