What Makes the "Mona Lisa" Special, and Why It's More Than a Simple Portrait

Last week, news emerged that the Louvre is considering moving Leonardo da Vinci's most famous painting to the basement in response to "public disappointment" and massive crowds.

Crowds gather to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. Via Wikimedia Commons.

When I was twenty years old, I saw the Mona Lisa in person.

It was a dreary day in early October, and tourist season in Paris was coming to a close. I was studying abroad in Vienna, and conveniently, one of my closest friends was studying in Paris. With a free place to stay in an otherwise expensive city, I had eagerly accepted Allie’s invitation to visit.

The Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay were essential stops. While I had always loved and appreciated art, I was still learning about the techniques and methodologies that went into creating brilliant works. That, dear reader, is why my moment to finally see the Mona Lisa left me feeling… underwhelmed.

I still vividly recall being jostled into the room where Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous portrait is housed. To catch a glimpse, Allie and I craned our necks past hordes of visitors, with their selfie sticks and cell phones hovering in the air. At the time, the Mona Lisa h…