During the staggering task of preparing space for the upcoming special exhibit ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ (to begin in October 2019), many important works are being moved. We were passing through the Louvre to check out the numerous newly decorated rooms which have been temporarily set aside for other great Italian paintings, including works of Titien. The most surprising find yesterday was stumbling upon and peeking at Mona Lisa’s portrait, momentarily and completely alone, mute and vigilant in the vast room (Salle des états) where she is consecrated. All the other walls were bare!
Advancing step by step through the Grand Gallery, the usual throngs – as to be expected – were surrounding the famous ‘Virgin and Child with Saint Ann,’ which was of course completely and successfully restored just a couple of years ago. In the space of one miraculous moment, Jacques was able to shoot this image without the obstruction of either Chinese tour groups, hordes of outstretched arms with smartphones, or tourists with baby strollers. A moment with eternity.
My Facebook friend Andrea Winsmart shares with me a great love for this wonderful painting. I first discovered it in the form of the ‘cartoon’ drawing of similar composition during a slide show during a lecture in the 70s, when our wonderful Italian art teacher at Harvard (and he was Italian) so aptly articulated the essence of this masterpiece. As a student at New England Conservatory in those days, I was miraculously allowed to take courses for full credit at Harvard which would apply to my degree at NEC. Naturally I dove in at the chance for this enrichment during several semesters, and centered my attention on the art of the Italian Renaissance.
Just lucky, I guess