mona lisa essay titles

IX The crab

Analogous to the downward-leading symbolic angles, the perplexing image of a vertically cut body of water enhances the association of an underwater world for the lower third of the painting. In the context of Leonardo's submarine inventions and the associated imaginative world, this even seems plausible.

The hands of the Mona Lisa

The central motif of the lower third of the painting is the hands of the Mona Lisa. They are overlaid in a very special way. A first indication of something special is marked by the golden ratio of the image width, which is located where the lower lines of the hands intersect (mouseover, orange vertical). Given what has been shown so far, it is not surprising that the fingers of the Mona Lisa are aligned with specific angles: 30°, 45°, and 60°. When these are connected, they appear against the background of an underwater landscape and, in conjunction with the fingers that are symmetric to each other in a very special way, they resemble a crab.

The angles of the hands

• From the center of the horizontal golden ratio (orange horizontal), a 60° angle can be drawn to the ring finger of the left hand (white line). From its end, a 75° angle leads over the knuckles to the upper left, to the middle of the height between the lower edge of the screen and the lower wall edge. This creates a symbolical triangle with inner angles of 45°, 60°, and 75° (72° + 3), which is not further explained here
• the blue lines of the crab have an angle of 45°. They form an M-shaped network of lines. Exactly through the center of the "M," the golden ratio of the image width passes (mouseover, orange vertical)
• The middle finger and index finger of the right hand are slightly spread apart, and the angle of the index finger is 30° (orange line). Now it takes only a little imagination to recognize the crab (red areas).

Conclusion: From the bottom of the sea to the highest heights

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The greatest pleasure is the realization Leonardo da Vinci

Website of the exhibiting museum: Louvre-Museum , Paris

Frank Zöllner, Leonardo, Taschen (2019)

Martin Kemp, Leonardo, C.H. Beck (2008)

Charles Niccholl, Leonardo da Vinci: Die Biographie, Fischer (2019)

Johannes Itten, Bildanalysen, Ravensburger (1988)

Robert Descharnes und Gilles Néret, Dali – Das malerische Werk, Taschen (2001)

Die Bibel, Einheitsübersetzung, Altes und Neues Testament, Pattloch Verlag (1992)

Platon, Timaios, Holzinger (2016)

Highly recommended

Marianne Schneider, Das große Leonardo Buch – Sein Leben und Werk in Zeugnissen, Selbstzeugnissen und Dokumenten, Schirmer/ Mosel (2019)

Leonardo da Vinci, Schriften zur Malerei und sämtliche Gemälde, Schirmer/ Mosel (2011)

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The Mona Lisa is quite possibly the most well-known piece of painted artwork in the entire world. It was painted by the Leonardo Da Vinci, the famous Italian artist, between 1504 and 1519, and is a half body commission for a woman named Lisa Gherardini. Her husband, Francesco Del Giocondo requested the work by Da Vinci just after the turn of the century. It is perhaps the most studied piece of artwork ever known. The subject’s facial expression has brought about a source of debate for centuries, as her face remains largely enigmatic in the portrait. Originally commissioned in Italy, it is now at home in the French Republic, and hangs on display in the Louvre in Paris.

The work was requested by subject’s husband, Francesco Del Giocondo. Lisa was from a well-known family known through Tuscany and Florence and married to Francesco Del Giocondo who was a very wealthy silk merchant. The work was to celebrate their home’s completion, as well as a celebration of the birth of their second son. Not until 2005 was the identity of Mona Lisa ‘s subject fully understood, though years of speculation have suggested the true identity of the painting’s subject.

Leonardo da Vinci

The Mona Lisa is famous for a variety of reasons. One of the reasons, of course, for the popularity of the painting is the artist himself. Leonardo da Vinci is perhaps the most recognized artist in the world. Not only was Da Vinci an artist, but he was also a scientist, inventor, and a doctor. His study of the human form came from the study of actual human cadavers.

Because of his ability to study from the actual form of the human, he was able to draw and paint it more accurately than any other artist of his time. While the Mona Lisa may be revered as the greatest piece of artwork of all time, Da Vinci was known more for his ability to draw than to paint. Currently there are only a handful of paintings of Da Vinci’s, mostly because of his largely experimental style of art, and his habit of procrastination. Among his most famous sketches is the Vitruvian Man, which anybody who has ever studied anatomy, human biology, or art knows very well.

But most prominently Da Vinci has been known throughout the centuries as a scientist and inventor. Amongst his ideas were a rudimentary helicopter and a tank. Some of his more notable paintings include the Mona Lisa , of course, as well as The Last Supper. He used a variety of different surfaces to paint on, attributing to a lot of his failures (and a lot of his successes) as a painter. Many of his paintings are biblical in nature, but as his talent and notoriety grew, he was commissioned more regularly for portraits.

Techniques Applied

The Mona Lisa is an oil painting, with a cottonwood panel as the surface. It is unusual in that most paintings are commissioned as oil on canvas, but the cottonwood panel is part of what has attributed to the fame of the painting. Because of the medium used for the image, the Mona Lisa has survived for six centuries without ever having been restored–a trait very unusual when considering the time period of the piece.

While most of the artwork of the Renaissance period depicts biblical scenes, it was the style and technique of the paintings of this period which make them distinguished from other eras of artwork. Anatomically correct features are one of the identifiable marks of this period of history in art, and the Mona Lisa stands out amongst the great paintings for the detail in her hands, eyes, and lips. Da Vinci used a shadowing technique at the corners of her lips as well as the corners of her eyes which give her an extremely lifelike appearance and look of amusement. Her portrait is such that to an observer, they are standing right before Lisa Del Giocondo, with the arms of her chair as the barrier between the observer and the subject of the painting.

Da Vinci also created a background with aerial views and a beautiful landscape, but muted from the vibrant lightness of the subject’s face and hands. The technique Da Vinci used in executing the painting left behind no visible brush marks, something that was said to make any master painter lose heart. It is truly a masterpiece.

The Mona Lisa disappeared from the Louvre in France in 1911. Pablo Picasso was on the original list of suspects questioned and jailed for the theft, but he was later exonerated. For two years, the masterpiece was thought to be forever lost. However in 1913, Italian patriot Vincenzo Perugia was arrested for the crime of stealing the famous painting, and the original artwork returned to its home at the Louvre in Paris. Perugia was an employee of the Louvre at the time, and he believed the painting belonged to Italy. For two years he kept the famous piece of art housed in his apartment, but was discovered when he tried selling to a gallery in Florence, Italy.

Over the centuries, the famous painting has withstood attempts at vandalism as well. The first occurrence of vandalism was in 1956 when somebody threw acid at the bottom half, severely damaging the timeless masterpiece. That same year, another vandal threw a rock at the work, removing a chip of paint from near her elbow. It was later painted over. Afterwards, the piece was put under bulletproof glass as a means of protection has kept the painting from further attempts at vandalism and destruction.

This painting has long been caricaturized in cartoons, has been replicated all over the world, and has been studied by scholars and art enthusiasts alike. The painting is the most widely recognized work of art in the entire world. The oil on cottonwood panel commission of Francesco del Giocondo’s used such precise detail to give an unbelievably lifelike appearance to the painting’s subject. This piece of Renaissance artwork completely changed the techniques and style of painting, and is revered around the world as the greatest masterpiece of all time.

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Mona Lisa - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

The “Mona Lisa,” created by Leonardo da Vinci, stands as an iconic masterpiece of Renaissance art, evoking endless fascination and analysis over centuries. Essays could delve into the historical context of its creation, exploring Leonardo’s innovative techniques, such as sfumato, which contributed to the painting’s lifelike quality. They might also delve into the mysteries surrounding the identity of the subject, the elusive smile, and the distinct background. Discussions might extend to the painting’s journey over centuries, its theft, and return to the Louvre, and its enduring allure that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The discourse may also touch on the broader influence of the “Mona Lisa” on art and popular culture, examining how it became a symbol of artistic genius and the epitome of aesthetic beauty. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Mona Lisa you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Mona Lisa Smile

The 2003 romance movie, "Mona Lisa Smile," directed by Mike Newell, portrays a recent UCLA graduate female art history professor named Katherine Watson. She is hired at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953 to teach an art history class to a classroom full of hardworking and demanding young girls, determined to make her feel unwelcome. The girls who attend Wellesley are from some of the most wealthy, influential, and upper-class families in Massachusetts. Despite all the hardships and judgmental […]

The Art between the Creation of Adam and Mona Lisa

Over the pass hundreds of years, there has been all types of beautiful artwork. More than thousands of artworks are in our museums today that has so much meaning and potential. I would like to talk about and to analyze two types of artwork that I find fascinating Today, the creation of Adam and the Mona Lisa. Although these paintings are fascinating to see there's a lot of meaning behind these artworks such as the elements and principle, they have […]

“Leonardo Da Vinci – Worlds Biggest Influencers

"Leonardo da vinci was alone one of our worlds biggest influencers. His works and ideas helped shape us to what we are now as well as leave us still amazed at his work. He was a man of many talents. He was talented in many different skill areas. Leonardo da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, musician, writer, engineer, architect, botanist, anatomist, and an inventor. His work helped change society, as well as his art, including two paintings that remain among […]

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Image Analysis Lego Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa portrait by Leonardo da Vinci induces vast feelings and attachments to the work of art. The image of Mona Lisa has been vastly explored and studied owing to the intricate details contained in its appearance, both literally and aesthetically. Similarly, the Lego Mona Lisa portrait is a creation of art that is mimicking this great painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Looking at this image, it strikes a sense of wonder and interest in me as I feel […]

Leonardo Da Vinci Began Working on the Mona Lisa

"Leonardo da Vinci began working on the Mona Lisa in 1503, and continued to do so until he died in 1519. The painting itself is rather small, and the sitter depicts an average looking woman, with no jewels, and plain dark clothing. He used layers of glaze to enhance the reflection of light from the painting to the eye, and to give it depth. The way he contoured her cheeks, and carved out her smile using variations of shade, coupled […]

Exemplary Renaissance Art Work

The goal of this paper is to describe in detail an exemplary Renaissance art work. I will explain and discuss how this masterpiece is a perfect representation in respect to specific tendencies of the Renaissance period and its style. The piece chosen for the main topic is the 'Mona Lisa'. The Mona Lisa is thought to have been painted by the artist Leonardo Da Vinci between 1503 and 1506. During the Renaissance era artist strived for humanism artwork were created […]

Art : Mona Lisa

Art is the skill and imagination exercise by the expression of human creativity. We have seen different kinds of art like painting and sculpture that has amazed us throughout our life. There are lots of historical art in this world which were created by some of the legendary artists. Among that Mona Lisa artwork of Leonardo da Vinci is also listed as one of the greatest, famous and amazing artwork of all time. Leonardo da Vinci was one of the […]

Leonardo Da Vinci Painting the Mona Lisa

Even after centuries of Leonardo da Vinci painting the Mona Lisa, it still is the most famous piece of art work of all times. The painting of the Mona Lisa still hangs today in Louvre Museum in a bullet proof glass. Da Vinci's masterpiece interests thousands upon thousands of people from all over the world today. Many viewers tilt their heads as to why the Mona Lisa is still so famous. Some may say, Da Vinci's art work is so […]

Characteristics of the Renaissance

The Renaissance was the period of “rebirth” and creativity that followed Europe’s Middle Ages. Also, the Renaissance was a cultural movement that initially began in Florence, Italy, but later spread throughout Europe. It started around 1350 and ended around 1600. During the Renaissance, people experienced changes in art, inventions, and education. First, the Renaissance had changes in art. Art improved in realism, emotion, and detail. For example, the artist used a method called perspective. Perspective is “a method of showing […]

Leonardo Da Vinci and his Art of Mona Lisa

Leonardo Da Vinci started painting the Mona Lisa around 1503 and 1504 in Florence, Italy. Although some sources state that it was painted between 1503-09, a professor of the History of Art at University of Oxford, Martin Kemp, said there are a lot of difficulties to confirm the actual dates. But through his art, the life long work of the famous Italian Renaissance artist, Leonardo da Vinci, helps contribute the history through his paintings that gives us the understanding of […]

The Mona Lisa Painting

The piece of art work that demonstrate its influence or significance within its cultural context is the Mona Lisa painting. The Mona Lisa is a portrayal of Da Vinci's enthusiasm for workmanship, his new disclosures, and readiness to attempt things new. When taking a gander at the Mona Lisa, a monstrous piece of its prominence originated from the way that the depiction appeared to break each part of conventional painting, yet still maintain Renaissance strategies and qualities. Another way that […]

How Art has been Used to Influence on Issues?

Jacques Louis David, a famous French painter once said. “The artist must be a philosopher. Socrates the skilled sculptor, Jean-Jacques [Rousseau] the good musician, and the immortal Poussin, tracing on the canvas the sublime lessons of philosophy, are so many proofs that an artistic genius should have no other guide except the torch of reason” (David). Art isn't only a creation however an image that can make a development or a certain stance affecting people way of thinking on political […]

Mona Lisa Painting Analysis

The Mona Lisa is a very old and interesting piece of art work. It has influenced many themes and accessories that have been made in the modern time. I think that the Mona Lisa is admired by many other artist as well as regular modern people because of the specific detail that is added in the art piece as well as the effort put into finally making the Mona Lisa. The time and the material that is apart of the […]

Classical Vs. Hellenistic Art: a Letter to Mona Lisa

I understand how difficult it is to see the difference between these two marvelous art styles! Lucky for you I'm here to help. What is most important for you to understand about these two complex artistic styles is that they're both displaying the human figure. The difference between the two? How they represent it! Classical Greek style can be described as simple because of it's emotionless and idealized state (93). The embodiment of these characterizations can be seen through the […]

Painting of Mona Lisa

A painting which doesn't have words but can explain everything just by a view of the true artist. One of the most beautiful works in history is a painting of Mona Lisa by Leonardo in the city Florence between 1503 and 1505. Mona Lisa was beautiful wife of Francesco del Gioconda, but Leonardo never gives the portrait to Francesco. Instead, he kept it with himself. They are the much more profound meaning of the painting some say it is the […]

1300 Italian Art

During the 1300s, Italian Art made a tremendous impact on a variety of people and still does today. Not only was this a turning point for Italian art because of the Renaissance but also because of the realism and new techniques that were brought about during this time. The art reflected the modernization that this time period was entering. These numerous characteristics, styles, and influential artists all displayed the feelings and emotions of the 1300s. The innovations made in the […]

Why was Leonardo Da Vinci Called a Renaissance Man

Leonardo da Vinci was and still is an inspiration for many people. His full name is Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, but he is more commonly simply Leonardo or just da Vinci. He is also sometimes called a “Renaissance man”. This term refers a person who is very clever and/or good at a lot of different things, and is appropriate because of all the things that da Vinci is known for. He was talented in many different subjects, such […]

Renaissance Period: Timelime, Arts and Facts

The Renaissance era, lasting from the 14th to the 17th century, was one of the most progressive time throughout human history. Having the meaning of, “rebirth” the Renaissance changed the world dramatically in multiple different ways. Prior to the world changing era, around fifty percent of the European population was killed off by the plague. Following the Middle ages and the black death, the Renaissance era flourished Europe with art, science, mathematics, architecture and sexual expression. It was a time […]

Leonardo Da Vinci and his Life

Genius and artist, Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452 in Anchiano, Tuscany (now Italy). This town was close to the town of Vinci, Italy so that is how he got his surname. His parents’ names were Ser Piero, an attorney and Caternia, a peasant woman (Biography.com). According to History, da Vinci’s parents were never married to each other. At a young age of Leonardo’s life, both of his parents began new lives with other partners. He had […]

A Tour of Five Eras Essay

The best representatives of Greek and Roman culture for the Greco-Roman room of the museum are the terra cotta amphora Funerary Crater and marble sculpture Emperor Caracalla, respectively (Benton and DiYanni, pp. 38, 61). Funerary Crater, created by an unknown artist in the eighth century BC, is decorated with black-figure images typical of the Geometric period, mainly depicting mythological symbols and scenes (Benton and DiYanni, p. 38). This fits well with the Greek culture, which was totally permeated by mythological […]

The Revival and Rebirth in Europe

"The Revival and Rebirth in Europe are known as the time when the way of doing artworks and architecture and science dramatically changed in Europe. In this essay I will discuss the relationship between the art and the growing body of scientific knowledge during that period giving more emphasizes to three majors stylistic from that period, that is Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo. The Renaissance Period During this period many developments were made in science, arts, and architecture. As we remember […]

An Ordinary Cover?

Dan Brown’s novel, The DaVinci Code, has always been recognized by critics as a thrilling masterpiece, from the core of its plot to the complexity of its cover. Predominantly a focused snapshot of the Mona Lisa entails the front of the book. Her seductive eyes blatantly ask for attention while creating an uneasy ambience. The purpose of the famous reference is to hook the audience on the aesthetics, as the secrecy surrounding her facial expression seems to be unclear. The […]

Time Capsules from Renaissance and Baroque Periods

"For almost two years, we have been in search of what we believed were time capsules, hidden away between the years of 1400, when the Renaissance period started, and 1750 which marks the end of the Baroque period. We are pleased to announce that our nearly twenty-four year search has ended in the discovery of two such capsules. Each of these capsules contains information, vital to the understanding of past cultures and their origins, and necessary to the development of […]

Biography of Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo was born in April 15, 1452, Italy, and he died on May 2, 1519, France. While he was growing, he was exposed to Vinci's long standing painting tradition. When Leonardo was about 15 years old, his father apprenticed him to the well-known workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence. As an trainee, Leonardo proved his great talent. One of Leonardo's first big breaks was to paint an angel in""Baptism of Christ."" He was so much better than his master's […]

“A Picture Says a Thousand Words”

A wise man once said, "A picture says a thousand words." I have found one of the best painting ever made in the art world. It none other than the famous "The Mona Lisa." For some people, it is just a painting of a woman, but others it’s like the best romantic painting ever. One of the most beautiful works in history is a painting of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci in the city of Florence between 1503 and […]

A Tour of Five Eras

The best representatives of Greek and Roman culture for the Greco-Roman room of the museum are Funerary Crater and Emperor Caracalla, respectively. Funerary Crater, a terra cotta amphora created by an unknown artist in the eighth century BC, is decorated with black-figure images, mainly depicting mythological symbols and scenes (Benton and DiYanni, 2014, p. 38). This fits well with the Greek culture, which was totally permeated by mythological ideas; a vase such as this one would have been used in […]

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The Enigmatic Mona Lisa: Unraveling Leonardo's Masterpiece

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The Mysterious Charm of Mona Lisa's Expression

Decoding the Smile: A Psychoanalytic Perspective

The earthly connection: observations on the mona lisa landscape, reflections on leonardo's artistry, conclusion: the timeless allure of mona lisa.

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Essay Samples on Mona Lisa

Exploring feminist literary criticism: unveiling mona lisa smile.

Introduction Self-assessment and criticism help us improve our skills and the ways in which we communicate our ideas and perspectives with others. In this feminist literary criticism essay, I will be critiquing and analysis of the movie Mona Lisa Smile. Firstly, I will explain why...

• Literary Criticism

Hidden Meanings In Artworks Of The Famous Artists

One of the great things about art is that it is open for interpretations. Its meaning is diverse depending on who created the artwork, when it was made, and the style used in it. Artworks are usually created to feature a subject or express ourselves....

• Michelangelo
• Vincent Van Gogh

Analysis And Interpretation Of The Leonardo Da Vinci Masterpiece Mona Lisa

Artwork of Choice Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, 1503. Oil painting on a poplar wood panel 77cm x 53cm(30 in × 21 in) Description The painting selected for this Art Appreciation exercise is entitled ‘Mona Lisa’ painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503–1506 The painting...

• Leonardo Da Vinci

Historical Person Of The Year Writing Assignment: Leonardo Da Vinci

As many of you know, I am Leonardo da Vinci. Many people know about my accomplishments and the impacts I’ve made; but not about my background, childhood life, or how I got into art. So, I’m going to share it with you for you to...

Comparison of the Art Pieces of Leonardo da Vinci and Andy Warhol

Over time, the type of art people create has changed drastically. Art can be by what events are happening in the time that it was made or what materials were available/discovered. Each artist has a very different and unique style. For an example, Leonardo da...

• Art History

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The Roles and Responsibilities of Women in Mona Lisa

Today I will be discussing the changing roles and responsibilities of women in film, especially in Mona Lisa Smile. Mona Lisa Smile, directed by Mike Newell, is about Katherine Watson (an art history teacher) inspiring her students at Wellesley College to challenge the lives they...

• Gender Roles

The Art Reproduction of Mona Lisa as the Symbol of Luxury

Using the Mona Lisa original painting and the mass reproduction of the Mona Lisa as an example to demonstrate the Mona Lisa’s portrayal of luxury and power to manipulate and altered for consumer needs. The Mona Lisa is a painting of a portrait by Leonardo...

Comparative Analysis of Da Vinci's Mona Lisa and Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait

Throughout history and its origin since when it first started, art has been the way of expressing creativity, uniqueness, and above all skills using the imagination of the human brain. For example, many painters would portray their feelings on a blank canvas while others would...

• Frida Kahlo

Best topics on Mona Lisa

1. Exploring Feminist Literary Criticism: Unveiling Mona Lisa Smile

2. Hidden Meanings In Artworks Of The Famous Artists

3. Analysis And Interpretation Of The Leonardo Da Vinci Masterpiece Mona Lisa

4. Historical Person Of The Year Writing Assignment: Leonardo Da Vinci

5. Comparison of the Art Pieces of Leonardo da Vinci and Andy Warhol

6. The Roles and Responsibilities of Women in Mona Lisa

7. The Art Reproduction of Mona Lisa as the Symbol of Luxury

8. Comparative Analysis of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Frida Kahlo’s Self-Portrait

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The feminist inspiration of Mona Lisa

This year marks the 500th anniversary of the death of the Italian genius, Leonardo da Vinci, who died on 02 May 1519. On this occasion, UNESCO highlights some of the comments concerning the origins of one of the most famous paintings in history: Was Mona Lisa painted in a feminist spirit?

The thesis of the American art lover William Varvel highlights the links between feminism and the painting. According to his findings, Mona Lisa would represent a figure in the fight for gender equality. Why? William Varvel insists on "the theological rights of women" claimed through the vision of the famous painting from the Renaissance Period. These rights are linked to the status of priests, which women do not have access to. Therefore, the painting representing Mona Lisa would have for true desiderata the possibility for the women to have access to the priesthood. William Varvel assures that "Mona Lisa is a kind of declaration for the rights of women".

To support his argument, the author of The Lady Speaks: Uncovering the Secrets of the Mona Lisa explains how Leonardo hid clues in the painting: in total, not less than "40 symbols, taken from the 21 verses of the chapter 14 of the Book of the Prophet Zechariah" in the painting.

Therefore, there is a link between religion, the painting of the Italian master and his feminist commitment. It is precisely this link that William Varvel wishes to highlight in order to allow a reflection on the subject. A new definition of the place of Mona Lisa in the artworks from the Renaissance is necessary to apprehend the political and feminist scope of this masterpiece.

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The art of art citations

by Zoë Mahler

We all know that adding images to papers doesn’t impact the page number of our writing (and if you didn’t know that, then you’ve just received your first tip). That being said, as an art history major I have learned over the years the importance of correctly citing images in papers and all the mechanics that lead to a perfect citation.

I once wrote a paper for a 300-level art history course that included twelve different paintings by three separate Impressionist painters. It was a lot, and writing about all of them (while also making sure I wasn’t mixing any of them up) was quite the hassle.

Here are a few simple tips and tricks for properly citing images in an art history paper using the Chicago Manual Style. Let’s use the Mona Lisa as an example.

First things first: There are a few things to remember the very first time you mention an image. 1) Make sure you are presenting the reader with the full name of the piece, the artist, and the date of the painting. 2) Whenever you address the work of art, it must always be italicized: Mona Lisa . 3) Make sure to place (Figure 1) in parentheses after the image. This way, when you cite the images at the end of your paper, the reader can see which painting correlates to the writing. The only time you use (Figure 1) is after you introduce the painting the first time. For the rest of your paper, just call it by name, as with the Mona Lisa .

Bringing all these pointers together, here is an example of what the final product may look like:

In his 1503 painting, the Mona Lisa , Leonardo da Vinci creates his own natural background behind the smiling woman to complement her color palette (Figure 1).

Now you are at the end of your paper: After your bibliography, insert a picture of the artwork into your Word document. All your artwork will be the final pieces in the order they appear in your document, starting with Figure 1.

But how and where do you cite these artworks? It’s pretty simple. The only place you need to cite your photos – unless it is something you saw in person for a gallery talk – is after the bibliography (as mentioned before). You do not cite photos of your artworks in your bibliography unless you went to the museum yourself and saw the painting firsthand. For this example, I obviously have not gone to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa , so the only place I am citing this photo is below the image. You can simply follow this format:

Format: Figure no. Title of Artwork , artist, date, name of gallery, City.

Example: Figure 1. Mona Lisa , Leonardo da Vinci, 1503, the Louvre, Paris.

You will not always know where a painting is being held, and sometimes it may not even be on exhibit. Because of this, it’s okay if you only have the first three criteria.

Correctly citing your artworks or pictures in a paper not only lets the reader know what they should be looking at or imagining from your writing, but it also helps you categorize what you’re working on for your own benefit. If I hadn’t been establishing which figure was which while I was writing my paper, I probably would have gotten pretty confused from time to time. As long as you follow these guidelines, your paper should be a pristine work of art itself!

Zoë Mahler is a senior with an art history and mass communication double major, and a religion and sociology double minor. She spent her summer on a Principia Abroad program studying archaeology and prehistoric Neolithic temples in the United Kingdom and Malta.

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“Mona Lisa Smile” Movie Analysis Essay

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Introduction

Plot summary, social issue addressed by mona lisa smile, examples of how the social issue is addressed, analysis of key moments.

Mona Lisa Smile is a film based in New England in the 1950s. The movie title references the famous art by Leonardo Da Vinci called Mona Lisa . The film is a drama about a teacher who travels to teach students in New England in a school called Wellesley. Throughout the film, there are references to social issues that affect women being addressed. The director uses art to present the way women’s role in society had been viewed in the 50s in America. Society at that time was largely patriarchal and women were seen as helpers. The main character, Katherine Watson, finds it hard to believe that women could accept to drop their ambitions in favor of getting married. Mona Lisa Smile criticizes the traditional views about women role only being mothers and wives and concludes that women have the right to make their own choices.

The setting of the movie is 1953, first in California than in New England where the school is based. Katherine applies for a job to teach art history at a school called Wellesley and is called for an interview. The school is prestigious and the students are well informed about traditional art history. Amanda, a nurse at the school for 21 years, tells Katherine that the students can be intimidating if they sense fear ( Mona Lisa Smile 5:42-5:46). The teacher realized that she had to use different methods to teach the students. Katherine centered her art class on three questions: what is art? Is art good or bad? what criteria can be used to decide these questions?

Wellesley school was more interested in ensuring that students understood their role either as a husband or a wife. Girls were taught that the only grade that matters is the one a husband gives for the performance of a wife and mother. Ironically, the teacher who taught the ladies how to poise and elocute was insecure and lonely. Ultimately, the ladies realized what Katherine was teaching them and finally started making their own choices. In the end, Katherine is surprised by the impact she had on the women in her class.

The film addresses the issue of women’s role in society. In the 1950s many people believed that women’s position was as mothers and wives. Society at that time was patriarchal and the director of the movie wanted to illustrate how most the women were forced to stop their careers and get married (Fatmawati). In the first 20 minutes of the movie the director presented the way different characters think. One of the students, Betty, was wealthy and was interested in following her mother’s conservative views about life. Her mother was a board member in the Wellesley school and had always taught her daughter to work hard and then find a wealthy husband. The girls at the school are taught foreign languages for them to be ready to host perfect dinner parties for their beau boss. The ladies are also taught how to poise and speak correctly when hosting dinner parties. Therefore, the main aim is to prepare the women for marriage and the men for work and further education.

The role of women in our society has always generated interest from various areas. Currently, women’s rights have become more advanced with many organizations pushing for equality. The way women are viewed at home has also changed as compared to in the past. Katherine tried to help the girls avoid making the mistake of failing to pursue their dreams. She talked with Joan, a bright student who had always wanted to pursue law and become a high-profile lawyer. However, she is disappointed when she learned that Joan had secretly been married and moved to Philadelphia. What frustrates her more is that Joan had to stay at home while her husband went off to graduate school. This meant that Joan would lose precious time that would have been used to further her education. The girls became consumed by the traditions imposed on them when growing up which prevents them from questioning why they are forced to follow the traditions. Through Katherine, the ladies learn of a different way of living life which leaves a lasting impact on them.

The need to have free will when making decisions in life has always been at the center of the arguments to bring equality. Women should not exist as though they depend on other people to make decisions. The 1950s was a period where the conservative ideas about society, in general, had taken root. Some of the women who desired to live a different life got criticism from their families and were forced to adhere to the traditional societal ideals (Kyle 227). In the movie, an argument ensues when Giselle tells Betty how she admires the way Katherine encouraged students to be independent. Betty was of a different view as she believed more in the conservative ideals imposed by the school.

One of the examples is when Katherine was getting to know the students and met Joan who was one of the smartest in the class. The meeting surprised Katherine because she realized that Joan intended to finish school and get married. When she asked Joan, what happens after getting married the student replied sarcastically “…then I will be married” ( Mona Lisa Smile 30:41). This shows that for the student marriage was the main objective after school. Being smart did not provide Joan with the motivation to continue her studies because of the way she was brought up knowing that marriage was important. While addressing the need for women to make their own choices, the director also addressed the importance of education. This is because without education the students would not have been exposed to different viewpoints about life.

Another instance happened when Katherine was teaching the students using her new model of teaching. A student questioned why married students were allowed to miss classes which forced Katherine to be strict with Joan. The missing class due to being married appeared a normal thing because of the conservative nature of the school. Joan threatened the teacher since she knew her mother was on the board and she would not be expelled. For Katherine, this situation presented an opportunity to ask for more support from the top management. However, she was told that change happens slowly which infuriated her. The director wanted to show the effects of early marriages on women’s ability to make better choices.

The other instance is when Betty got married but after some time the marriage fell apart. When she went to her mother for help, she was told to go back to her husband. Her mother did not want to listen to what she was saying instead she wanted her to go back immediately. This part illustrates the traditional views that were held by most of the older women and men. The position of women had greatly been diminished to that of a submissive person that has no free will (Fatmawati). In showing how Betty got shunned by her mother the director wanted to illustrate how hard it was for women to get support even from their families.

The lack of support that Betty experienced may affect the way a person perceives a situation. She was lucky to have a teacher who encouraged women to be independent. As a teacher, Katherine provided the girls with the ability to rediscover themselves. They were able to understand the importance of education in their life. Katherine wanted to raise women who would go and become the leaders of tomorrow. Her quest to change the way the school viewed women’s position in society was remarkable as it helped change other people’s life. Two of the girls applied for a law degree at Yale University and succeeded which shows that they were bright. Therefore, Katherine showed how important a teacher is in the life of students.

During the opening address by the head of the school, the students are told that soon one of their major roles will be to take care of their husbands and children. The address was to welcome the students to the school and tell them what the school expects of them. The speech was also a message to the girls about what society expects of them. The school reinforced these ideals by teaching students how to act when hosting parties for their husbands’ friends. Katherine is infuriated by the message provided to the students as it is against what she believes in. The idea that women should only perform the roles of wives and mothers was demeaning. This is because the students were smart enough to venture into enterprising courses that would be fulfilling. Some of the students, for example, Betty and Giselle, had a dream to enroll at Yale University.

Another key moment is when Katherine convinced Joan to apply to Yale University because of her interest in law school. She had already enrolled in pre-law which made the teacher aware of her interest. After the conversation with the teacher, Joan applied to Yale University and was accepted. However, she changed her mind and decided to get married to her fiancée, Tom Donegal. When the teacher got wind of the news, she became frustrated and angry that Joan had made that choice. Joan told the teacher that being a wife did not make her any less intelligent. Parents’ influence on children is strong because students follow what they learn and see (Morin 165). The decision to become a wife conformed to what the school wanted but was against what their teacher taught them. For the teacher, it was better to continue studies and venture into careers that they prefer. This part also indicates the role of the teacher in shaping the decisions of the students in a positive way (Kupfer 95). However, some of the students are influenced by their parents to adopt more conservative ideals that limit their independence.

When the school invited Katherine to continue teaching the school, it indicates how popular her class had become. It also showed the school had realized the importance of educating students to make informed choices and not putting limitations on their development. Betty, who had also chosen to get married, found Katherine as the only one who cared to listen and help her when her marriage got rocky. Eventually, she decides to divorce her husband and move to Yale university to start a law degree. She had decided to live a life of her own without worrying about what society thought. This was an indicator of how the influence of a teacher can help change the way people think and act. The teacher was able to have a profound influence on the students.

In conclusion, Mona Lisa Smile focuses on how women were viewed in society during the 1950s. The film portrays the Wellesley school as a conservative place where the women are taught how to be mothers and wives. They learn the right way to speak and pose at dinner parties. The main character, Katherine, tries to change this culture by teaching the students that there is a possibility of being independent by pursuing a career. Several of the students had an interest in going for further studies. Joan wanted to be a lawyer but chooses to get married instead. The action by Joan and Betty made Katherine angry because she thought they were serious about enrolling in further studies. In the end, the students realized the importance of education and their role as women in society. They learned that women can also make their own choices without conforming to what society tells them.

Fatmawati, Septi. Feminity of the 1950s on the movie Mona Lisa smile. Diss. Universitas Negeri Malang, 2018.

Kupfer, Joseph H. “Classroom Creativity: Pedagogical Adaptability in Film.” Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice 20.1 (2020): 94-98

Kyle, Killian. “Mona Lisa Smile, Wit, and Teacher’s Pet: Three Depictions of Female Academics.” Journal of Feminist Family Therapy 29.4 (2017): 226-228.

Mona Lisa Smile . Directed by Mike Newell, performance by Julia Roberts, music by Rachel Portman, Sony Pictures, 2003

Morin, Céline. “Nuclear families and radical feminism in 2000’s American TV series.” International Journal of Media & Cultural Politics 15.2 (2019): 163-174.

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IvyPanda. (2022, July 19). "Mona Lisa Smile" Movie Analysis. https://ivypanda.com/essays/mona-lisa-smile-movie-analysis/

""Mona Lisa Smile" Movie Analysis." IvyPanda , 19 July 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/mona-lisa-smile-movie-analysis/.

IvyPanda . (2022) '"Mona Lisa Smile" Movie Analysis'. 19 July.

IvyPanda . 2022. ""Mona Lisa Smile" Movie Analysis." July 19, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/mona-lisa-smile-movie-analysis/.

1. IvyPanda . ""Mona Lisa Smile" Movie Analysis." July 19, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/mona-lisa-smile-movie-analysis/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . ""Mona Lisa Smile" Movie Analysis." July 19, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/mona-lisa-smile-movie-analysis/.

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An exhibition opening in January is to mingle recent fashions with precious objects spanning from the Middle Ages to the Second French Empire.

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PARIS — Mad for 18th-century interiors, Karl Lagerfeld frequently visited the Louvre , knew its holdings by heart, and drew inspiration from its sumptuous furniture and lacquered screens.

In January, some of the late German designer’s haute couture and métiers d’art creations for Chanel all that inspired will invade the storied Paris museum, which is mounting its first fashion-focused exhibition , tracing how precious objects from Byzantine times through to the Second French Empire have fueled designers’ imaginations — and continue to do so.

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Slated to run from Jan. 24 to July 21, the exhibition — whose title has yet to be finalized — is to showcase about 65 ensembles and 30 accessories. These will be installed across the 9,700 square feet that showcase the Louvre’s vast decorative arts holdings, which range from suits of armor, ceramics, ivories, tapestries, scientific instruments, jewelry, bronzes, stained glass and silverware to the lavish Napoleon III apartments.

Officially created in 1893, the department has amassed a collection of 20,000 objects, a little more than a third of which are on display at any given time.

As it has no fashion holdings, barring some lavish coats from The Order of the Holy Spirit, the Louvre is borrowing looks from an array of fashion designers and houses in France, Italy, the U.K. and the U.S. (France’s national fashion collection belongs to Les Arts Décoratifs , where Gabet was director for nine years before joining the Louvre in 2022.)

For the forthcoming exhibition, Gabet opted to focus on “more recent creation” — from the ’60s through to today — eager to demonstrate how contemporary fashion is often rooted in history, its designers gleaning inspiration for silhouettes, colors and embellishment from artworks and decorative objects.

While the Louvre has a relatively small collection of armor, Gabet noted he could easily mount an entire exhibition exploring how these protective garments, which can echo or exaggerate the body, have influenced numerous designers, including Paco Rabanne, Thierry Mugler and Balenciaga’s Demna, who closed his fall 2023 couture show with a metal Joan of Arc ballgown .

The forthcoming exhibition could bring “a different kind of audience” to look at the museum’s “very historical collections,” which Gabet acknowledged can seem foreign and extraneous, especially to young people.

Gabet, who is curating the display, said he aims to make links between the historical objects and the recent fashion creations immediately obvious, though they reflect varying degrees of inspiration — sometimes almost direct and literal, sometimes more blurred from a busy mood board.

The spirit of the exhibition is to exalt the fact that fashion designers and other creatives who are nourished by museums are often these institutions’ best ambassadors, drawing different perceptions and connections than curators or art historians, Gabet said.

He marveled how designers are drawn to different fields of artistic creation: Erdem Moralıoğlu to period textiles, Jonathan Anderson to ceramics and crafts, Maria Grazia Chiuri to artists during the Italian Renaissance, the late Lee Alexander McQueen to Renaissance tapestries, and Christian Louboutin to ceramics by Wedgwood and Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, and giltwood furniture, since his father was a cabinetmaker.

All of the fashions and accessories will be sprinkled across the Louvre’s permanent galleries, with interior architect Nathalie Crinière conscripted for the set design. Crinière had collaborated with Gabet on large-scale exhibitions at Les Arts Décoratifs, including the blockbuster Dior one in 2017.

The exhibition will also pay homage to Madame Carven, as she and her husband were major benefactors of the Louvre, donating an important collection of 18th-century furniture and decorative objects. “So it will be different layers of relationships,” Gabet said.

Participants are to range from Dolce & Gabbana and Yohji Yamamoto “to perhaps some surprise with younger fashion designers,” he teased.

“We need to be very open minded in the way we propose dialogues between fashion and art,” Gabet said.

Indeed, the display is to address questions about “the silhouette and the body,” the question of history and inspiration, fashion’s connection to craft, and its mixing of elements from all over the world.

Fashion exhibitions also showcase more than dresses these days, exemplified by the recent Iris Van Herpen retrospective at Les Arts Décoratifs that incorporated fossils, skeletons, avant-garde artworks, microscopes and various tools and installations.

Gabet said the project at the Louvre will be unique given the depth of the collection, spanning more than a dozen centuries, and given that the exhibition is not monographic, featuring the work of about 40 designers.

He also stressed that the Louvre exhibition starts from its collection and draws links to fashion, not the other way around.

“Today, I think that fashion is even more interesting when it is shown in connection with other fields,” he said. “When you talk to a designer, of course they talk about fashion, but they also talk about art, they talk about craft, they talk about photography. It’s a big shift right now in the way fashion looks at itself — in relation to other fields of creation.”

In this vein of new perspectives, Gabet decided to tap the Louvre’s brain trust in various fields of expertise to write essays in the exhibition catalogue.

“I think it’s interesting for once to ask art historians and museum curators to share their feelings about fashion,” he said.

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