Wednesday, April 22, 2009

VANISHED SMILE : THE MYSTERIOUS THEFT OF MONA LISA
by R.A. Scotti

She is the most famous face in the world of art. Millions of people flock to see her every year. They are mesmerized, captivated by her eyes. The French consider her a national treasure.
On August 21, 1911, Mona Lisa vanished from the Louvre. Twenty-four hours passed before the museum realized that she was gone. The news media went wild. Tons of people came to see the empty space on the wall. Everyone was in mourning. Flowers and notes were left. For more than two years, she was missing. Then, she reappeared, a few blocks from where she had originally been painted.
Vanished Smile is a spellbinding story. The skills of R.A. Scotti as a historian makes for fascinating reading. The chapter called The Mystery Woman could be another book in and of itself. Who exactly was this woman, fact or fiction? The methods that Leonardo da Vinci used to paint this portrait, how long it took him, why he chose her, what she wore, etc.
If you like art, mystery, and detective work, make sure to read this one.
Highly recommended.