The Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci
Posted on 09/06/2018 6:35:35 AM PDT by ETL
The Mona Lisa, also referred to as La Gioconda (or La Joconde), has endured centuries of fascination by artists, researchers, medical professionals, and even thieves.
(snip)
The Mona Lisa attracted medical attention in 2004 when a team of rheumatologists and endocrinologists suggested that skin lesions and hand swellings visible in the portrait may be indicative of a lipid disorder and heart disease.
Specifically, they asserted that familial hyperlipidemia and premature atherosclerosis could have caused Lisa Gherardini’s death. They also proposed that Mona Lisa’s famous smile may have been the result of Bell’s palsy.
After examining the painting, Dr. Mehra and Campbell found that clinical hypothyroidism is a more likely diagnosis given that Lisa Gherardini lived to be 63.
“The enigma of the Mona Lisa can be resolved by a simple medical diagnosis of a hypothyroidism-related illness,” Dr. Mehra said.
“In many ways, it is the allure of the imperfections of disease that give this masterpiece its mysterious reality and charm.”
Had Lisa Gherardini suffered from heart disease and a lipid disorder, it’s unlikely she would have lived to such an advanced age given the limited treatments available in 16th century Italy.
Dr. Mehra cited the Mona Lisa’s thinning hair, yellow skin, and possible goiter as visual evidence of hypothyroidism.
“The diet of Italians during the Renaissance was lacking in iodine, and resulting goiters (swollen thyroid gland) were commonly depicted in paintings and sculptures of the era,” he said.
“Additionally, Lisa Gherardini gave birth shortly before sitting for the portrait, which indicates the possibility of peripartum thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid after pregnancy).”
(Excerpt) Read more at sci-news.com ...
A long time ago I read that Mona Lisa’s face is actually daVinci’s face. Dunno; don’t do art much, and never saw Leo. I did have some of Red Skelton’s clown paintings at one time (ex got custody); they were cool.
I’ll never “get” art.
I look at that painting and think, “hey, good job”. It’s not worth much consideration past that point.
How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
This is a painting, not a photograph. The cool thing about paintings is that in a landscape you can leave out the telephone poles.
Have you ever tried painting yourself (and I don't mean the kitchen and living room). Because then you would almost certainly have gained appreciation for the techniques and skills involved.
Lol! Exactly.
These guys sound like a lot of fun to look at art with. “Wow, isn’t this painting cute?” “Sure, It’s nice painting of a cat but I suspect the cat has dementia caused by a brain tumor.” Oh. Well then.
Lesions? What lesions? She looks like practically every other woman of that period.
The techniques and skills involved are exactly my point. I can’t do it, but recognize the skill involved.
As another example - if it looks like a monkey could’ve painted it, why does it sell for more than the cost of canvas and paint?
I have hypothyroidism and don’t believe anyone would know it by looking at me, sheesh.
Dr. Mandeep Mehra is a medical director at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
He’s been studying the woman in the da Vinci’s masterpiece, painted in the early 1500s.
She is believed to be the wife of a wealthy merchant.
Mehra points to a lack of eyebrows, receding hair line, a lesion near her left eye, a puffy neck and swollen hands.
His diagnosis?
A serious thyroid condition.
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/09/05/doctor-claims-model-for-da-vincis-mona-lisa-was-sick/
I agree with you there. There are some absolute garbage paintings out there selling for thousands, if not millions.
What's interesting is how small the portrait is.
The doc should stop looking at the Mona Lisa and start reading social history books of the middle ages and Renaissance. Women shaved the top of their heads closely to have a higher forehead.
And now we’re on the same page :D
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