The Missing Elements in Leonardo's Masterpiece: Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa, one of the world's most famous paintings, housing the enigmatic smile of Mona Lisa, is a remarkable piece that has undergone countless restorations and alterations. However, it is also a painting with numerous missing elements that add to its intrigue and mystery. In this article, we explore the fascinating voids in this masterpiece.

Wood Panel and Lost Details

Contrary to popular belief, the Mona Lisa was originally painted on a wood panel. This fact often stuns visitors when they see the photo of the back of the painting, revealing its wooden structure. A pivotal moment in the history of the Mona Lisa was when someone cut down the wood panel, cutting off both sides of the image, thus obscuring the porch pillars that once adorned the edges of the portrait, each as distinctive as the Mona Lisa herself.

Restoration and Artistic Alterations

The Mona Lisa has endured several restorations and alterations over the years. Vasari's description of Mona Lisa's portrait highlights the artist's meticulous attention to detail. Vasari wrote, 'The eyes had the glints and those water lines that are continually seen in life...' This suggests that the painting might not fully reflect the original vision due to the removal of certain elements. A recent analysis in a book by Riccardo Magnani, titled This Is Not Leonardo da Vinci, suggests that the Mona Lisa we see at the Louvre today is not the original; it is more likely that the portrait being referred to is that of a "Lady of Lombardia" and later called The Gioconda.

Missing Eyebrows and Other Details

Missing eyebrows are one of the most prominent and striking aspects of the Mona Lisa. Over time, it is believed that an overly zealous art restoration job may have removed the old varnish layers, but in the process, also eliminated Mona Lisa's eyebrows. This is a significant loss, as eyebrows contribute to the overall expression of the subject and add to the charisma and gender presentation of the portrait. The removal of eyebrows has altered the ultimate artistic value of the work.

Other Missing Elements

In addition to the eyebrows, another intriguing aspect of the Mona Lisa is the absence of feet. Leonardo's cropping of the image suggests that the feet were never painted, as including them would have distorted the composition. This deliberate omission adds to the enigmatic and timeless quality of the portrait, making it a classical masterpiece.

Conclusion

The Mona Lisa is a painting rich with missing elements that contribute to its mystique and intrigue. Whether it is the lost eyebrows that enigmatic smile, or the absence of certain details, these missing elements continue to provoke thought and debate among art enthusiasts and scholars. While we may never fully know the true original of the Mona Lisa, the knowledge of these missing elements adds to the wonder and charm of this iconic work of art.