Mona Lisa's Lessons

Photos and Text by: Corey Amaro

The Louvre has a painting that attracts the world, it is a show stopper, it is. The small painting is of a woman, it hangs alone on an enormous wall. Directly across from it is a massive painting, the size of a large house with a million people in it.
The contrast alone is worth a peek.
Though few notice the striking difference.

Mona Lisa smiles back at them. If I were the other paintings at the Louvre I would be jealous.

 

My cousins and I went to the Louvre, through the side door where there is never a line.

You are allowed to take photos, as long as you do not use a flash.

McDonald's is one of the restaurants located underneath. I wonder what Marie Antoinette would say about that? "McDonald's in *my house? Pink milkshakes?"

Mona... she just smiles, though no one knows for sure what she is thinking about.

Leonardo da Vinci painted a woman without jewels, lace, or notable wealth. She is painted soberly, frontal, with smokey eyes, and straight hair is worn down.

Mona masters the marketing game. With her hands folded on her lap, she looks straight forward, and the corners of her mouth go up. The paparazzi do not impress her, she has remained the same without botox or stripping.

An art a few starlets have yet to learn.

A never-ending crowd constantly gathers around Mona Lisa. They barely look at the painting that they have come far to see. Instead, they weave through the crowd, lift their cameras above their head and snap a shot. Then bringing their camera down for a closer view to see if they got it, if so they walk away.

Wherever they stand, Mona looks straight into their eyes and holds the poise.

Most people who come to see the Mona Lisa stand longer in the line waiting to come in than they do in front of her painting.

McDonald's knows that secret...fast food.

A picture is worth a thousand words.
Mona Lisa knows all about that.

"Do you not see that, among human beauties, it is a very beautiful face and not rich ornaments that stop passers-by?… Do you not
see beautiful young people diminish their
excellence with excessive ornamentation?…"
-- Leonardo da Vinci

If we give time to unfold what would we see?

I stood in the Lourve, watching people taking quick snapshots of the Mona Lisa with intrigue.

 

Photo after photo, one after another, click and go.

Slam, bam, thank you, Mona.

In the rush, it felt gross.

I felt like a victim of my lack of culture.

I should stop and pay attention more often, hold time in stillness as something divine in itself.

 

The Louvre is powerfully beautiful.

I am saturated in a heartbeat every time. Even though I warn myself before I step foot inside to regard one thing in-depth, such as brush stroke, or to find the signature, or find the hidden spot in the paintings, as a way to help me to stay focused. I am nevertheless saturated.

Beauty is powerful, killing me softly.

So we take it in as we can.

A little bit at a time.

Seeing without knowing.

Holding out for a long shot view,

Gratitude for the glimpse into a world waiting for us.

She smiles.

She waits.

She is there.

Beauty can escape us simply by not waving a flag.

Though when I slow down

beauty blooms again and again,

layer after layer,

peeling back to the truth.

Simplicity and facing one another.

 

Mona Lisa

1503 -1506

20 7/8 inches by 30 inches, oil painting on wood.

Painted by: Leonardo da Vinci in Florence, Italy.

Presently in the Louvre.

 

Holding Mona Lisa in a freeze-frame and not in one's inner eye.

Art, beauty, and a poetic lifestyle take time.

They are not fast food for the hungry soul that does not take time to digest.

Comments

[Jeanne]

Fabulous

[marilyn]

Well said! The first time I stepped in front of Mona I was totally shocked to see all the cameras snapping away. I had come to be in her presence, not to take her home with me. I must admit the next time I snapped a picture, but it just didn't feel right.

[Sue J.]

a very thoughtful post, Corey. (Love the shots you took of others taking ML’s portrait.)

[Fat Rabbit]

Interesting and thoughtful comments. I have felt the same while visiting "Mona".

However what I REALLY want to know - where is this secret entrance to the Louvre. It would be great information when I guide the next two grandkids around Paris.

[PJT]

Some of your best writing, Corey! I love your observational comments, so deep. I hope you produce more of these. But maybe these people are gleaning yet a tad of something, even if they are not staying for long. At least they have entered the museum, KNOW they should view this painting, etc. Yes, I am looking for the good in them. Ha! Oh, and I LOVE that side entrance too!

[Lil]

My first visit to the Mona Lisa was in 1974. I don't remember anyone taking photos then. No digital cameras, no mobile phones. Just silent viewers and not that many when I was there.

[Franki]

First trip to Paris was in 1960 with my mother, I was almost 15.The Louvre didn't yet have the Pei pyramid, and Mona Lisa was there in all her glory without bullet proof glass.We looked at one another. I remember that she was smaller than I had imagined.There were no photo happy tourists at the time,and no 'Macdo' either.

[Debbie Z.]

What beautiful, and thought-provoking, writing. Thank you, Corey. "Beauty is powerful, killing me softly." I loved this piece.