The Other Mona Lisa ? _ at The Hyde Collection

Wednesday, 17 May 2006 10:16

Glen Falls, NY - In celebration of one of the most recognized paintings in the history of Western art and to coincide with the opening of the Hollywood film The Da Vinci Code (based on the best selling novel); The Hyde Collection is pleased to feature the Study of the Mona Lisa.  The mystery surrounding Leonardo da Vinci’s the Mona Lisa (c. 1503-06) and her famous enigmatic smile has been the highlight of writings and discussions among artists, scholars, and museum visitors for as long as the painting has been in existence.  The drawing from The Hyde’s permanent collection is perhaps more mysterious than the renowned portrait hanging in the Louvre.

Leonardo da Vinci’s (1452-1519) the Mona Lisa (c. 1503-06) stands apart as one of the most celebrated paintings in the history of Western art.

Although nearly identical in size and the positioning of the subject, Study of the Mona Lisa is no longer considered a full-scale drawing, or cartoon, of the Louvre’s famous portrait Mona Lisa (c. 1503-06).  First, the paper is not incised or pricked, which would indicate that the image was transferred to the panel.  Second, the drawing has been extensively retouched and reworked.  This combined with grime build up, smudging, and losses caused by mechanical abrasion to the surface mask the sixteenth century drawing that lies beneath.

An attribution in favor of Leonardo is supported by the paper, which dates to the sixteenth century and consists of three smaller sheets of paper glued together.  The pieced paper indicates that it was probably taken from a bound volume and Leonardo did execute other preliminary drawings on pieced paper surfaces.

Moreover, the provenance, or history of the ownership of the work, parallels that of an authentic Leonardo cartoon titled Portrait of Isabella d’Este, but questions remain because of the extensive reworking to the figure in the Hyde drawing. 

The Hyde drawing was once offered to the Louvre along with the cartoon of Isabella d’Este, but the Louvre declined the Mona Lisa due to its poor condition and extensive overdrawing and restoration. In 1951, Mrs. Charlotte Hyde purchased the drawing from the distinguished scholar and dealer R. Langton Douglas.  Although the work has been "decoded" for modern audiences, whether the original drawing is indeed by Leonardo’s hand will remain, like the portrait, a mystery. 

This exhibition will “decode” the drawing revealing new research and scientific analysis that makes it difficult to determine the original authorship of the piece. Whether the Hyde drawing is indeed by Leonardo’s hand will remain, like the portrait, a mystery. The public is invited to see this mysterious work of art featured in The Hyde Collection’s Birdsall Gallery May 19 through August 27, 2006.

Visit The Hyde Collection / Birdsall Gallery at : http://www.hydecollection.org/index.cfm