Mona Lisa: Inside the Painting [Hardcover]

Jean-Pierre Mohen (Author), Michel Menu (Author), Bruno Mottin (Author), Leonardo da Vinci (Painter)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006

Applying the cutting-edge forensic techniques of television’s CSI to the world’s most famous painting yields a fresh look at an old friend in Mona Lisa. A step-by-step examination of how Leonardo’s masterwork was constructed, using the latest advances in scientific observation, measurement, and analysis, this book almost literally peels back the layers on one of the most iconic images in world history. How did Leonardo prepare his panel, mix his paints, and compose his picture? For the first time ever a team of experts looks at these questions with an exacting scientific eye. Their answers shed light on both the mind of Leonardo and the wider world of Renaissance painting.

A fascinating combination of science, forensics, and art history, this gorgeous, oversized volume outdoes even the most imaginative novelist in cracking da Vinci’s creative code.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jean-Pierre Mohen is a historian and an art conservator with a particular interest in the history of the technology of art. The author of a number of books on Bronze Age and Megalithic art, he is also a senior research scientist at the Research Laboratory of the Museums of France at the Louvre.

Michel Menu and Bruno Mottin are art conservators at the Research Laboratory of the Museums of France.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810943158
• ISBN-13: 978-0810943155
• Product Dimensions: 17.3 x 11.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!, January 4, 2007

By 

Edward B. Hanna (The Berkshires, Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mona Lisa: Inside the Painting (Hardcover)

There's no other word for it: simply fabulous! Any art historian, student or just anyone interested in Leonardo's paintings will want to have this wonderful work. It peels away layers of varnish and paint like an onion and reveals Leonardo's technique in all its wonders.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential book for anyone who loves the Mona Lisa, October 1, 2007

By 

C. Quinn (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mona Lisa: Inside the Painting (Hardcover)

This book is absolutely a must-have for any fan of the Mona Lisa. The scientific breakdown of the painting, the intricate images and graphs, the descriptions of the colors and form all combine to create a intriguing and gripping look at one of the world's most famous paintings. If you are fascinated by art restoration and the use of technology to analyse paintings then this book is an essential resource, but even a casual dabbler like me will find hours of entertainment within its pages. Everyone who has opened the book at my house "just to see" has been lost to the party, and several have picked up their own copies for more in-depth perusal.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular book !, January 23, 2008

By 

Valentino (Zadar, Croatia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mona Lisa: Inside the Painting (Hardcover)

This oversized coffee table book will delight all art lovers, particularly those who are into art history and restoration.
It deserves 6 stars, actually, but I gave it 4 because for some reason authors chosed not to include Mona Lisa photo with digitally removed varnish. It can be seen on this link
http://www.lumiere-technology.com/Pages/News/news3.htm
and I had hoped that this book will feature it also, since one of the main advantages of this new technology is virtual removal of darkened varnish without touching or damaging the paintings.
However, there is LOT of photos and large closeups in this book and I would recommend it to everyone interested in visual arts in general and Leonardo and renaissance painting in particular.