CASE 104 | ATTACK ON THE MONA LISA
by Saidat Animasaun
Have you ever imagined how it would feel to be a target of someone's anger? To be treated as an object of desire or an ultimate prize in a heist; and even get successfully kidnapped? Now, try to picture how 25-year-old Lisa del Gioncodo must feel.
Who is Lisa Del Gioncodo you ask? Popularly recognised as the young maiden painted in muted green colours, hung graciously in the Louvre—the prime focus of what is arguably the most famous painting in the world, The Monalisa.
This masterpiece is a true gem of international repute; enhanced by the captivating and surreal backdrop. The painting draws the viewer in with its intricate details and masterful use of colour and light. The young woman is captured in a moment of contemplation, with a serene expression doting on her face, contributing to the overall sense of otherworldliness and mystique.
This painting is truly a gem of the art world and a testament to the skill and creativity of Leonardo Da Vinci.
The Queen player in the chess field, and as reputable as the painting is, why is it a constant target? She’s been subjected to spray paint, razor blades and rocks (1965), having a teacup smashed against her, as well as cake (2022) and more recently having soup splashed all over her (2024).
Are people aggravated by the smug expression on her face and the fact that she ‘sits pretty’ gaining more attention and love each passing day when a major part of the world is in neglectful turmoil? I highly doubt activists are that upset at the Mona Lisa.
It seems these individuals are upset by the abnormal and unsettling amount of attention being paid to an inanimate object. They find it frustrating that some treat a painting like a sacred object, pilgrimaging to Paris just to look at her for less than 5 minutes and exhibit strong emotions while turning an unsympathetic blind eye to the pressing current affairs of the world which is a considerably strong incentive for their actions.
We aim to understand the complex relationship between humans and art in terms of representation and perception by analysing the Mona Lisa Attacks, taking into consideration why individuals use pieces like these as an outlet for declaration and protest.
The big debatable question is “Does the Mona Lisa deserve all the fame and attention it receives?” One of the uncanny features of the painting is its small size, which disappoints many of its devoted fans, but despite this information being relatively mainstream, it remains a strong fan favourite with 9 out of 10 visitors of the Louvre claiming they were there solely to see ‘Leonardo’s Lady’. Other burning questions include “What is the reason behind people's interest in it?” “Do they want to see DaVinci's work firsthand? If so, why aren't any of his other pieces remotely as famous?” Or ’Is it because they want to witness the precariousness of the painting that is a major crime target?’
There’s a superficially tense relationship we foster with art pieces and how we perceive them, which fuels widespread curiosity and these acts of wreckage. Ensuing from the initial heist in the early 1900s, The Mona Lisa has been subjugated to endless appropriation and given a false sense of superiority. One of the only paintings alongside Van Gogh’s flowers to be reproduced and imitated over a thousand times.