Episode 23 - The Birth of a Legend, Mona Lisa

She is the most famous painting in the world, and everyone has an opinion of her. Are there better paintings in the Louvre? Sure, but she also deserves every bit of fame she has garnered for many reasons. Sadly, because of the chaos that surrounds her, you aren’t able to truly appreciate her the way you might other paintings. Who is the woman behind the most famous painting in the world? Was she the mistress of Giuliano de’ Medici? Leonardo da Vinci in drag? A wealthy woman of the Renaissance and friend to the artists? Or was she a Florentine woman and wife of a wealthy silk & wool merchant? It is one of the greatest questions in art history, right up there with why she is famous in the first place. You know this lady as La Joconde or as the Mona Lisa. In this week's episode, I share the story of the real woman behind the painting and how she came to France. Check ClaudineHemingway.com for more details.  Support the show