ARTHI 6B Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Sfumato, Contrapposto, Lisa Del Giocondo
Document Summary
Context can mean the historical circumstances around the construction of a monument. We might also refer to the cultural context. Its famous for being famous, everyone has seen it. People are fascinated by the mona lisa"s enigmatic smile. We know for sure that the painting was never delivered to its patron. Should be monna lisa or madonna lisa (lady lisa). Probably a portrait of lisa gherardini (though there are other contenders). Probably commissioned by her husband (last name la joconde). Never received, leonardo takes it to france when he goes to work for french king. Da vinci naturalised portraits by including smiles. Her smile isn"t revolutionary-- it"s her body posture. Paintings in this portrait show women very straight and rigid in profile, but the mona lisa is in profile, direct gaze, contraposto instead of sitting straight, shows her hands. Portraits depicted wealth and riches to show prestige.
