Louvre: The Mona Lisa Is Deteriorating

AP ^ | April 26, 2004

[presidio9]

The Mona Lisa (search), Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece of a mysterious woman with a slight smile, is deteriorating, and the Louvre Museum (search) said Monday it will conduct an in-depth technical study to determine why.

The thin panel of poplar wood that the work is painted on has become deformed since conservation experts last evaluated the painting, the Louvre said in a written statement. It did not say when the last evaluation was.

The Louvre said the condition of the Mona Lisa was causing "some worry" and that a new study on the state of the work has been launched.

The study, to be conducted by the Center for Research and Restoration of Museums of France, is to better determine what materials the painting is made of and evaluate the painting's special vulnerability to climate changes.

[presidio9]

[farmfriend]

I saw a show once that purposed that this was a self portrait. Their evidence was interesting.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Check out the movie Mona Lisa Smile with Julia Roberts. Biggest piece of trash to hit the video screen in years. Plot is well-written, but fanatical feminism is the theme. Also, although the movie is named Mona Lisa Smile and the end of the movie shows a class reviewing the painting Mona Lisa, Leonardo Da Vinci is not mentioned in the entire move nor any of the great works of the masters. Jackson Pollock (an alcoholic) and his wretched paint splatter style is the main contemporary artist presented.

I am sick and tired of people substituting garbage for good, wickedness for wisdom and knowledge for, basically, nothing. Leadership. When are we going to get leadership?

[NativeNewYorker]

I saw it last summer. It's in a sealed case and crowds are kept a couple of feet away behind a railing.

Given the age of the piece, the age of the building it's in, the variability of the atmosphere in Paris, etc., the painting is in pretty good shape.

[presidio9]

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Check out the movie Mona Lisa Smile with Julia Roberts.

Are you kidding? I wouldn't waste my time or my money watching anything with Julia Roberts in it.

The movie bombed at the box office, thank God...

[RightWhale]

Seeing the painting the first time was a little surprising in that the painting was done on the back of a kitchen cutting board, probably the cutting board belonging to the woman in the painting.

[CaptainK]

Maybe the deterioration started under this guy's bed:
http://www.liveworld.com/transcripts/Boxtop/6-09-1998.1-1.html

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I saw a show once that purposed that this was a self portrait.

Da Vinci needed a manzier?

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

said Monday it will conduct an in-depth technical study to determine why

Duhh... maybe because it is old.

[Corin Stormhands]

[dfwgator]

I refuse to watch any movie with "Fish Mouth" in it.

[TC Rider]

It's Bush's fault.

/sarcasm

[cyborg]

I think that's the reason LOL.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Nothing lasts forever

[Captain Peter Blood]

I have always considered the Mona Lisa painting overblown. I have never thought this a particularly great work of art and have always looked upon with great amusement at the Art Scholars and Art Snobs who trip all over themselves to put their own subjectives views on what is a overrated art work. I have always wondered if there was a colossal inside joke with this painting that only Da Vinci knew.

[Tunehead54]

On an unrelated thread someone said "Wait'll the terrorists bring down the Eiffel Tower ..." and my only thought was big deal. If the terrorists want to strike at the heart of France it will be the Louvre. Hope they're paying attention.

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[Doctor Stochastic]

I wouldn't waste my time or my money watching anything with Julia Roberts in it.

"Conspiracy Theory" was fun, though.

[aruanan]

The Mona Lisa (search), Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece of a mysterious woman with a slight smile, is deteriorating, and the Louvre Museum (search) said Monday it will conduct an in-depth technical study to determine why.

Probably because it's not the real Mona Lisa.

[Hildy]

I'll tell them why: IT'S SO FREAKING OLD.