Mona Lisa A Self-portrait? (Press, 19 December 1986)
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Summary: Mona Lisa A Self-portrait? (Press, 19 December 1986)
A computer researcher has proposed that the Mona Lisa is actually a self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, according to “Arts and Antiques” magazine. Lillian Schwartz, a researcher at Bell Laboratories, compared a red chalk self-portrait of da Vinci to the famed painting and found striking similarities in the eyes, hairline, cheeks, and nose. Schwartz concluded that the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa is merely the mirror image of da Vinci’s smile in his self-portrait created in 1518. The identity of the Mona Lisa has long been debated, with the painting's peculiar characteristics adding to the mystery. Notably, the model lacks eyebrows and identifiable jewellery, wears a simple dress, and adopts an unusual pose. Da Vinci had a deep attachment to the painting; however, he never mentioned it in his journals, unlike his other artwork. After completing the portrait in 1504, da Vinci transported it with him from Florence to Milan and Rome, eventually bringing it to the court of François I in Amboise, France, where he died in 1519. The breakthrough in understanding the Mona Lisa's identity came from a new computer programme used by Schwartz, who is not only an acclaimed artist but has also won an Emmy and an Oscar for her contributions to visual arts through technology. Wick Allison, the editor and publisher of “Arts and Antiques,” stated that this discovery could be one of the most significant in art history. He noted that it aligns perfectly with the known details of da Vinci's life and historical context concerning the painting. The magazine further suggested that da Vinci's inclination towards androgynous subjects, potentially influenced by his sexual orientation, might explain the more ambiguous aspects of the Mona Lisa. As a multi-talented individual who was not just a painter but also an inventor and scientist, da Vinci was known for his interest in optical tricks, including writing in reverse to create reflections. This aligns with the innovative approach he may have taken when creating the iconic painting.
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