Trey Achterhoff Assignment 1A Rhetorical Reflection English 250H Section BMcGough September 9, 2013 The Mona Lisa Attempting

to decipher the Mona Lisa smile has driven philosophers and art enthusiasts mad for centuries. The pursuit of an answer to Lisas grin even drove French artist Luc Maspero out the fourth story window of his hotel in the mid-1800s. It is very unlikely that Leonardo da Vinci foresaw the large amount of critique his painting would endure when he brushed it into existence at the beginning of the 16th century. His original purpose for the Mona Lisa was not to create a world-wide search for the meaning of the enigma that is the Mona Lisa smile, but over time the mystery and grace of the painting has transformed it into one of the most famous works of art in the history of the world. In its original context as an artistic masterpiece, the Mona Lisa is extremely effective at eliciting an emotional response from people of all backgrounds. Its reproduction in Convergences as a nasal strip advertisement meant to be looked at by college students in an English class, however, causes it to lose its grandeur and robs it of its beauty. During the Renaissance, portraits were a rare commodity. Only the extremely wealthy had the means to obtain an image of themselves. In order to complete a portrait, people would need to sit for a very large amount of time, even up to days, while a painter copied their picture onto a canvas. The Mona Lisa was originally intended to be one of these portraits. The Mona Lisa is likely a portrait of the wife of a Florentine merchant (Smart History). Interestingly and for an unknown reason, da Vinci never gave the painting to its subject. Instead he kept it with him until his death. Although the painting was likely meant to sit on the mantle of a wealthy merchants fireplace, after da Vincis death the painting quickly gained popularity and significance in the world of the arts. Today, scholars pour massive amounts of effort and resources into determining exactly what Leonardo da Vinci was attempting to convey with the Mona Lisa. Thousands of theories exist as to what Mona Lisas smile and demeanor can be attributed to and what they mean. These theories range from Mona Lisa being a sad, sick woman with syphilis to her being in a love affair with another man and smiling out of mischief. Computer analysis even sheds light on evidence that the painting may incorporate aspects of da Vincis own countenance. Regardless of its original purpose, the Mona Lisa has become an international icon. It is now an inspiration for countless artists and has been used in many different contexts in modern art and media. Its depiction in Convergences as an advertisement for Breathe Right nasal strips, however, completely ruins the beauty of the painting. Leonardo da Vinci cherished the Mona Lisa until his death; this was not in the hopes that it would be reproduced in a college textbook depicted as an advertisement. Because it draws on the fame of the Mona Lisa, the advertisement in itself may be effective, but reprinting one of the most famous paintings of all time to be looked at in this context does not give the painting the respect it deserves. More than likely college students will be dreading having to read about and look at the Mona Lisa in this context rather than simply being able to enjoy one of the greatest works of art in history, and this kills the success of the piece. Although the image of the Mona Lisa is iconic and timeless, its message and purpose are different today than the day Leonardo da Vinci painted it into existence. A painting meant to be a portrait of a wealthy merchants wife transformed into an international icon generally respected as one of the greatest paintings of all time. The reproduction of the Mona Lisa in Convergences as a nasal strip advertisement changed the context and effectiveness of the piece drastically. It is no longer a masterpiece that brings about introspection and awe, but rather has become a chore for college students to observe in a required class. Even though its depiction and context in Convergences is poor at best, the Mona Lisa will forever stand out as one of the most revered and sought after works of art in history.

Work Cited Leonardos Mona Lisa. Smart History. Khan Academy, n.d. Web. 9 Sept. 2013.