Kelsey Lisowski Assignment IA Rhetorical Reflection Section HB-McGough September 9, 2013 The Mona Lisa Reflection The Mona

Lisa, the most prestigious painting in the world, has impacted history in ways that could not have been foreseen by the artist, Leonardo da Vinci, when he completed the painting in the early 1500s. The painting has been the subject of much controversy, as there are many unanswered questions about who exactly Mona Lisa is, and why da Vinci painted the portrait in the first place. Many historians have searched for the truth about this mysterious work of art, but there are still many unknowns. Most researchers believe that Leonardo di Vinci hoped to address the societal issues facing women through his art and define how a women should act through the Mona Lisas tight lipped smile, missing eyebrows, and serious expression. While this is what da Vinci intended at the time, the painting has now been published in a multitude of texts throughout the world and the intended message has lost a lot of meaning. Convergences, a text intended for college-aged students, published the painting in its textbook and the audience and purpose are not nearly as effective as the painting would have been in the 1500s. It is believed that Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa during the Renaissance period, more specifically between 1503 and 1506. During this time it was not typical of artists to sign or date their work or to reveal whom exactly they were painting through their work. It is believed, however, that da Vinci painted the portrait for Francesco del Giocondo, the husband of the lady portrayed in the Mona Lisa painting. The lady in the painting represents more than a wife though, she is serving as the subject of a deeply rooted argument in society today and in the past. The Mona Lisa is believed to represent the way women were supposed to act in the 1500s. Her tightly sealed lips represent the words and feelings she was not allowed to express as a woman, her posture represents what was expected of her character, and her careful eyes represent her observations that she wasnt allowed to talk about. While da Vinci may have wanted to portray these things in the 1500s, they are not working effectively today. The intended audience and purpose of the painting is still questioned, but people most people do not thing of a women without rights when they think of the Mona Lisa. Most students today look at the Mona Lisa and automatically recognize it as one of the most famous paintings in the world, but dont draw any conclusions other than that. In fact, most students forget about the importance of recognizing whom exactly the painting was intended for and why da Vinci painted it in the first place. Most would probably assume that it was intended for other aspiring artists and people who are interested in the arts, because society today focuses on entertainment rather than symbolism and critical thinking. They

dont recognize da Vincis true intentions because they never actually take the time to think about it. Leonardo da Vinci was a very mysterious artist with interesting intentions for his artwork, specifically for the Mona Lisa. It is the most famous painting in the entire world, yet not a lot of information is known about it. There is not a definite answer as to whom the portrait is of, why da Vinci painted it in the first place, and the exact time it was completed. It has, however, made a significant impact on the world, something that da Vinci probably couldnt have ever predicted himself.

Work Cited Harriss, Joseph. Seeking Mona Lisa. Convergences: Themes, Texts, and Images for Composition. Ed. Robert Atwan. Boston: Bedford/St Martins, 2009. 146-57.