Viewing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre in the summer of '72

[bigtree]

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I happened to be in Rome as a child, visiting with my parents in 1972, not long after someone broke a hand off a statue of Madonna and Jesus.



You could still walk up within reach of many priceless sculptures and paintings at that time, including the Mona Lisa. They put up a small roped barrier in front of the painting, in response.

I had reached out and touched another of his works in a church (likely 'Virgin and Child'), something many children might do, especially knowing there was a lot of natl. concern around about the other Michelangelo, all still fresh in my mind at the time. (shame on me, but it was as smooth as soft skin)


Dad's photo, in the Lourve statuary hall, close enough to touch Venus.

Mona Lisa was, at that time, in a long hall with other paintings, dead-ended by a large unfinished renaissance painting/mural as large as the wall. There were benches covered in leather (or red velvet?) down the middle & more than one artist sitting or standing and copying it, I supposed.

This is the best of Dad's photos of the Mona Lisa, lol. You didn't know what kind of shot you had until it was developed, this one likely after we returned to the U.S.. But, look at how close we were, and only a guard or two wandering nearby.



...this is likely what I saw in 1972.


Pinterest, Uploaded by W R Rice, The Mona Lisa room in the Louvre (1970)

...a bench in the hall. Me, Mom, and sister on the end.



...1960:



1963:


Reinstallation After A Brief Stay In Washington DC Of Leonardo Da Vinci's Famous Painting 'Mona Lisa' At The Louvre Museum, in Paris, France, on March 12, 1963. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)


A Specialist Takes Pictures Of 'Mona Lisa' Back At The The Louvre Museum After A Brief Stay In Washington DC , in Paris, France, on March 12, 1963. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Sister and me, sitting almost to the top of the Colosseum. I remember leaning on a huge stone which moved, and got a round of my sister's usual scorn.



...that's all.


Mona Lisa smeared in cake in apparent climate protest
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/video/2022/may/30/mona-lisa-smeared-in-cake-in-apparent-climate-protest-video

[Maru Kitteh]

1. Nice photos and perspective here Bigtree, thanks.

[bigtree]

3. you're welcome, Maru Kitteh

...this morning's news brought it all back to mind.

Amazing sights and memories. Literally Rome for a day, after taking a train from France, through Belgium and the Alps. The ONLY place I want to return to is the Louvre.

[LeftInTX]

2. I saw the Pieta at the New York World's Fair

My mom was super excited to see it and had shown us pictures.
However, the line was super long and we could only see from a distance.
And couldn't see it very well
We were on a conveyer belt escalator type flooring.

My mom was excited, but we were hot and tired of standing. (I was 8 or 9)

[bigtree]

4. so cool

...when was this?

And, how close were you?

[LeftInTX]

5. I'm thinking it was 1965...it seemed really far away..LOL

I really couldn't see any details...

[bigtree]

8. light years

...ago.

Futuristic, almost, with the moving sidewalk. Expo stuff.

[IcyPeas]

12. yes, the 64-65 World Fair in Flushing Meadow

We went there a couple of times. The Pieta was a very popular exhibit. It was a big deal.

[bigtree]

14. that would explain the moving walkway

Last edited Mon May 30, 2022, 09:58 PM - Edit history (1)

...I thought it looked like a temporary or special exhibit.

[FakeNoose]

6. Yes that's what I remember - the moving walkway

Nobody could stand in front because everyone had about 20 seconds as they rolled by from right to left. The line was so long and you got less than 1/2 minute to see the sculpture. But we thought it was worth it. I must have been 11 or 12 years old when I saw the Pieta in New York.

[bigtree]

9. we're really dating ourselves here

...ancient history, lol.

[secondwind]

10. I loved your photos...................

[bigtree]

11. thanks, secondwind

...

[Ilsa]

13. I remember the assault on The Piet. It broke my heart, even

though I was just a young teenager.