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From Leonardo to Mona Lisa. Outline. Introduction Part I. Leonardo’s life and work Part II. Who is Mona Lisa? Conclusion Timeline References. Introduction. Leonardo (1452-1519) Florentine master High Renaissance (c.1495-1520) “Rebirth” Leonardo great thinker and artist
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Outline • Introduction • Part I. Leonardo’s life and work • Part II. Who is Mona Lisa? • Conclusion • Timeline • References
Introduction • Leonardo (1452-1519) Florentine master • High Renaissance (c.1495-1520) “Rebirth” • Leonardo great thinker and artist • Mona Lisa: the most famous painting in the world • Mysterious identity of the Lady • Many theories
Part I. Leonardo’s life and work • Leonardo born in April 15, 1452, in Vinci • Son of a wealthy Florentine notary • Educated in Florence, artistic center of Italy • Handsome, persuasive and curious • In 1466, apprenticed to Verrocchio (1435-1488) • In 1472, entered in the painter’s guild of Florence
a. Early years in Florence and Milan • His first large painting: “The adoration of the Magi” (1481, Uffizi) • In 1482, he works for Ludovico Sforza, duke of Milan • “The Virgin of the Rocks” (1485, Louvre) • His masterpiece: “The Last Supper” (1497, Milan)
b. In Central Italy • In 1502, entered the service of Cesare Borgia, duke of Romagna • In 1503, member of a commission of artists having to decide the location for “David”, the statue by Michelangelo (Accademia) • “Mona Lisa” (1503-1506)
c. In Milan and Rome • In 1506, court painter to King Louis XII of France, residing in Milan • In 1514, in Rome, patronage of Pope Leo X • Criticized for of his scientific experimentation, lived Italy
d. In France • In 1516, traveled to France • Entered the service of King Francis I • In Chateau de Cloux, near Amboise • Took “Mona Lisa” with him • Given to the French crown when he died in 1519
Mona Lisa The artist’s use of very deep space in the background with a close-in portrait is typical of Renaissance painting style.
Part II. Who is Mona Lisa? • “Mona Lisa” (1503-1506) • In the Louvre Museum, Paris • Oil on wood panel • Two techniques: sfumato and chiaroscuro • Sfumato: subtle transitions between color areas • Chiaroscuro: defining forms through modulation of light and shade
a. According to Vasari • Mona Lisa, married in 1495 to Francesco di Bartolomeo di Zanoli del Giocondo • “La Gioconda”: derived from this notable Florentine’s surname • But in Italian “gioconda” also means a light-hearted woman
b. Enigmatic expression • Leonardo worked for years on the painting (1503-1506), always taking it with him • It was finished in Milan or Rome • The woman dressed in the Florentine fashion of her day • Enigmatic expression, both alluring and aloof: universal fame
c. Many theories • Leonardo painted his own profile along the boarder of the veil on the face of Lisa? • The top of his head is the veil line crossing Lisa’s forehead? • Looking at Lisa’s eyes, no matter from which angle you look at them, they gaze back at you (like in a mirror)
Conclusion • Leonardo paragon of Renaissance artists • No final proof of the woman’s identity • The greatest painting in the world • Identified with the general notion of art • Universal aspects of the painting • Abstract description of the human figure?
Timeline • 1503-1506 Leonardo painted “Mona Lisa” • 1514 “Auto portrait” • 1530 “Mona Lisa” displayed in a semi-public art gallery at Fontainebleau • 1550 Giorgio Vasari published the earliest known biography of Leonardo • 1804 “Mona Lisa” in the Louvre, Paris • 1911-14 Stolen and back to the Louvre
References • http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance • http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/bio/l/leonardo/biograph.html • http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/html/l/leonardo/painting/portrait/mona_lis.html • http://www.oir.ucf.edu/wm/paint/auth/vinci • http://www.oir.ucf.edu/wm/paint/auth/vinci/joconde • http://library.thinkquest.org/13681/data/lillians.htm • http://library.thinkquest.org/13681/data/science.htm?tqskip=1