Today In History: Mona Lisa Is Exhibited in America
When neither Francisco da Giocondo, nor Mona Lisa, nor Leonardo exist, when the memory of our fame is dead, people before my portrait will ask: --"What an enigma? Here's a woman of mystery, this woman who smiles. Is the smile divine or evil? Is it the smile of love fortified in chastity or is it the smile of wicked perversity; was her life unselfish -- were her thoughts impure? Who can tell?" Amidst their doubts they will say that Leonardo did more than paint the portrait of Mona Lisa -- for he painted a soul that smiles with hidden, elusive meaning.
Jacinto Benavente, The Smile of Mona Lisa: A Play in One Act, pp. 29-30.
With arrangements set in place by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and French Minister of Cuture Andre Malraux, and after a careful, highly secured journey across the Atlantic, the Mona Lisa made her sensational debut at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. On January 8th, 1963, Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, a portrait of Mrs. Francesco del Gioconda, was exhibited for the first time in America; her unveiling was attended by President John F. Kennedy and thousands of dignitaries. La Gioconda opened to the public on the following day, drawing half a million eager viewers over the next three weeks, before the exhibit travelled to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, bringing in another million visitors.
Completed in 1504, La Gioconda is a small, roughly 30" x 21" portrait, famous for several reasons, among them: the artist's use of softly blended shadows, particularly around Mona Lisa's eyes; the enigmatic smile of the unadorned subject in "three-quarter pose" who looks directly at her viewer; the unusual, rather mystical background; and stunning theft of the artwork in 1911 by Louvre handyman Vincenzo Peruggi. What do you see when you look at DaVinci's masterwork, often considered the most famous painting in the world -- perhaps DaVinci himself? The 'Mona Lisa' has inspired artists, art historians, art lovers, teachers, playwrights, and many more to this day who ponder this timeless painting, still questioning its magnificent mystery ...
The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.
- Special to The Wall Street Journal. (1962, Dec 13). The Transcript of President Kennedy's News Conference: The Mona Lisa. Wall Street Journal (1923-)
- Butler, V. (1962, Dec 20). N. Y. Provides Strict Guard on 'Mona Lisa'. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963)
- Freeburg, R. (1962, Dec 22). 'Mona Lisa' Is Unveiled: Survives Ocean Trip Without Harm. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963)
- 'Mona Lisa' Waits Admirers: Tips and Trends Print Available Security Measures. (1963, Jan 07). The Christian Science Monitor (1908-)
- Burd, L. (1963, Jan 09). Few Can See Unveiling of Mona Lisa in Capital: Few at Rites See Mona Lisa or Hear Talks. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963)
- Hunter, M. (1963, Jan 09). President Attends Debut of 'Mona Lisa'. New York Times (1923-)
- 'Mona Lisa' Ends Reign in Washington: Leaves Today for Visit in New York. (1963, Feb 04). Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963)
- 'Mona Lisa' Is Welcomed in New York; Atlanta Awaits 'Whistler's Mother'. (1963, Feb 05). The Hartford Courant (1923-)
- 'Mona Lisa' Put on U.S. Liner in French Custody. (1963, Mar 08). The Christian Science Monitor (1908-)
- Gallery Attendance Record. (1975, Mar 18). The Washington Post (1974-)
Tips:
- Benavente, Jacinto. The Smile of Mona Lisa; a Play in One Act by Jacinto Benavente. Translated from the Spanish by John Armstrong Herman. The Four Seas Company, 1919. e-book.
- Day, Nick. The Mona Lisa Vanishes : A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity. Illustrated by Brett Helquist, First edition., Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, 2023. Curriculum ; ND623.L5 A7 2023.
- Eyre, John R. Monograph on Leonardo Da Vinci’s ʻMona Lisaʻ. H. Grevel; Charles Scribner, 1915. e-book.
- Varvel, W. N. The Lady Speaks : Uncovering the Secrets of the Mona Lisa. Brown Books Publishing Group, 2014. e-book.
- Verleyen, Cyriel, and Henry Branton. The Theft of the Mona Lisa. Crowell, 1971. Closed Stacks Curr ; ND623.L5 V513 1971.
Images:
- Mona Lisa in the Louvre, Wikimedia Commons.
- Mona Lisa, Canva.
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