Who IS the Mona Lisa? | Smartest Year Ever (Jan 5, 2025)
About this episode
1/5/25 - The Woman Behind the Smile
Season 1, Episode 5
Few paintings are as iconic as the Mona Lisa, but who is the woman behind that mysterious smile? In today’s episode, Gordy uncovers the fascinating history of Lisa del Giocondo, a Florentine woman believed to be the model for Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece.
Discover how a 1503 margin note solved one of art history’s greatest puzzles, explore the hidden layers of the painting revealed by modern imaging, and learn why the Mona Lisa remained with Leonardo until his death. Plus, Gordy dives into alternative theories, including the possibility that the Mona Lisa could be a composite model or even a self-portrait of Leonardo himself.
Sources:
Giorgio Vasari, Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects (1568)
Heidelberg University Vespucci Note (2005)
The Louvre Official Website, "Mona Lisa: Who Was She?"
Smithsonian Magazine, "New Discoveries on the Mona Lisa"
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