I shall talk just about the Mona Lisa for a bit and the past times I saw her. If you want the whole story of our time in Paris very free to read Becky’s descriptive blogs. I am a poor blogger and not a fan of writing but I shall attempt to do my best.

This was my third time seeing Mona Lisa, the first visit was two years ago in May of 2004 with my friend Jeremy. Jeremy and I (as always) were running late and arrived at the Louvre 30 minutes before closing. We literally had to run directly to the Mona Lisa just to see that famous swanky girl before they booted us out. It took about 10 minutes to get to her room and we were out of breath, not just because of the walking distance and all the steps, but more from trying to absorb all of the magnificent art we ran by. Saying things constantly like “holy $h!% there is the blah blah” or ” Isn’t that one famous?” many times over. It was power art at its finest. In 2004 Dan Brown and the DaVinci Code were just starting to become popular so the Mona Lisa was still hanging on an average looking wall with other paintings nearby. I remember it being dingy too. There was only one lame roped pole guard thing to help the tourists get lined up (or queue up - as the Brit’s say). Plus, you could take flash pictures since the Mona was behind a flash protective non-reflective glass. I remembered that several fellow tourists and backpackers telling us how small the Mona Lisa paintings was that by the time that I saw her she was frick’n HUGE (please apply Scottish accent). I expected her to be the size of a postage stamp. Best part there were no lines or people to fight through.

That first visit to the Louvre tops as one of my exhilarating Paris moments. The rush of the first time! Running against the clock. That breathless excitement in witnessing mad dash glimpses of Master works. Realizing that seeing art can be emotional. Ending with the climax of the Mona Lisa with all her hype she was one OK girl.

On my second visit to see Mona, in May of 2005, I was solo. I had much more time at the Louvre compared to my 30 minute art orgasm the year before. Take all the art in a slow meandering pace. I thought that would be a good way, only to realize there are 30,000 plus pieces of art. Ugh. Art overload cometh. This time there were crowds of people all getting in my way it seemed. Stupid people. I was spoiled from the handfuls I saw from afar on my first trip at the closing hour. While the art was still amazing it was not like the giddy excitement of the first time. I was not a “virgin” any more I suppose.

Mona has been whoring herself of late due to the mega popular DaVinci Code. The lass needed some airing and decent traffic control. They moved her to very own hall in a big new fancy room. A massively huge wall of gigantic proportions with monolithic tall ceilings. Mona was pimp’n. She was displayed in a Queenly style. Plus, there were ropes and guard poles to help guide the tourist traffic for maximum viewing. This was the final year you could take flash photography of her.

In my third visit with Becky (September 2006) was same as 2005 but you could no longer could take photos with or with a flash, Not only of Mona but in the whole wing. It was sad moment! As a consolation prize smallish signs stated you can go to the Louve’s website and download all 35,000 paintings for free. Bah! I say. The whole point of seeing Mona is taking a picture with her. Ya know, Mona and me. The two of us together. It’s to prove that you were there. I mean she is behind non-reflective glass so the moron tourists who forget to turn off the flash will not damage her. For those that don’t know using your flash on your camera does destroy or fade artwork, especially when you multiply that by tens of thousands of tourists each year. That wicked sneaky ninja like smile of hers would certainly fade as if it was left out in the sun but I digress… Well, that is my gripe about not being able to take photos of Mona. You can try to sneak a quick photo sans flash and I did see a few people doing it. Still it’s hard to frame yourself just right to sneak a good photo. Ahh well, the progress of art protection.

As for how it felt to see Mona the third time it wasn’t a big deal anymore. I really didn’t look at her much and just enjoyed watching how Becky reacted. It was even a wee bit borings to see all the same big works again, but this time I was in a new role as a guide for Becky’s first time. I am not sure if that makes me a bad art connoisseur or artist for not being somehow amazed or in awe again. Now in hindsight with the writing of this blog, one way to overcome those art blues is to read up on a few choice pieces. That way you have context and/or a connection to the artwork to make it more significant and memorable. Another point is only to select a few works. Sometimes an audio tour can do this but I feel a book is better since its visual. One great book that does this well that I discovered is called “Mona Winks” by Rick Steves. It picks a few famous and important artworks throughout several museums in Europe and talks about them in a fun and interesting manner. It is a must have. Remember, its madness to try to take the Louvre with its 30 plus thousand artworks “all in”.

Categories: Chris Blogs, Paris