Thirty years ago, I attended a friend’s destination wedding in Paris, France. It was a fun affair that involved several events related to the nuptials, balanced with a few sightseeing tours that introduced us to French culture. I remember having a blast but feeling slighted when it came to the few museums we visited.
I learned a long time ago that I do not like visiting museums with other people. For one thing, I spend an inordinate amount of time reading and analyzing art and artifacts which, inevitably, puts me at odds with those I’m in attendance with.
And that was certainly the case during my first visit. After we returned home, I vowed to go back to Paris alone one day so I could truly immerse myself in the experience.
And that happened about 15 years later when I took a solo flight back, booked myself into a small boutique hotel in the heart of the city, and then wandered the streets day and night for an entire week. It was truly one of the best vacations I’ve ever taken.
The crown jewel of Paris’ cultural activities is the Louvre, one of the largest museums in the world and home to many of the most valuable and famous works of art on the planet. We only spent a half day there on my first visit, but for the second trip, I bought a two-day pass.
I had no plan for my 2-day excursion other than to walk to every corner of the Louvre — and I did exactly that. In fact, I exhausted myself so much that I actually fell asleep inside one of the galleries (and I wasn’t the only one).
At one point, as I was wandering down a corridor, I noticed some commotion in a nearby room. As I worked my way past a large group of people in the hallway, I could tell by their murmurings that something important was ahead. When I came around the corner, I was met with an entire room full of people all staring in one direction. And that’s when, over the heads of the crowd, I caught my first glimpse of the Mona Lisa.
The Mona Lisa is arguably the most famous painting the world has ever known, painted buy one of the most famous artists who has ever lived. Leonardo DaVinci’s defining masterpiece sat just ahead of me, incased behind bullet-proof glass and protected by an army of museum employees.
It took some time but I eventually made my way to the front so I could squarely face all of Mona Lisa’s glory. I stared for minutes trying to discern why the painting was so appealing. I mean, the artwork is impressive (I certainly couldn’t paint it), but the Louvre is filled with impressive art. Why was this piece so adored?
I left feeling puzzled. I was happy to have seen the “Mona Lisa” in person but perplexed why there was so much praise directed toward the piece.
Well, it took another decade, but I recently got my answer.
Several weeks ago, I started reading “Leonardo da Vinci,” the definitive biography written by Walter Isaacson. I’ve always been in intrigued by Leonardo, so I finally decided to go deep and read about his life and work.
The book covers everything that is known about da Vinci’s life, which is robust given that he was celebrated for a multitude of reasons. Most people know Leonardo as an artist but his skillset also delved into the theater, warfare, engineering, botany, and human anatomy, among other things. He was truly a Renaissance man.
Leonardo da Vinci painted the “Mona Lisa” for nearly two decades, coming back to work on it frequently as the years passed. In fact, he never delivered it to the wealthy patron who commissioned it and instead kept it in his possession until the day he died.
What makes the painting so special is that it masterfully captures the enigmatic beauty and complexity of both the human form and human spirit, both of which Leonardo spent a lifetime studying. In essence, it is the culmination of the artist’s entire life of study perfected in one image.
I had to read the whole book to fully understand this, but once it hit me, the allure of the painting finally made sense. Now when I see a print of the “Mona Lisa,” I can appreciate why it matters so much.
This week’s film also features another historically significant man, albeit one of more modern proportions. “Reagan,” starring Dennis Quaid as the 40th president of the United States, is a jaunty biopic about Ronald Reagan’s illustrious career. And while the film did paint a picture of the man that was demonstrably absent of hard critique, it was a pleasant enough ride to make it appealing.
Check this one out if you’re a fan of the man or have a soft spot for the 1980s Reagan era. It’s feel-good for sure — unless your political leanings put you at odds.
A revelatory “B-” for “Reagan,” now playing in theaters everywhere.
Got a question or comment for Dom? You can email him at moviediary@att.net.
