An Analysis Of Da Vinci's Mona Lisa

“This is infinitely disappointing,” remarks a young man, in a bored tone, standing before one of the world’s most recognizable paintings. “Monsieur, surely you realize that is Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa you have slandered,” retorts a rather indignant Frenchman. The young tourist turns. “Oh, I know.” He shoots back flippantly. “I thought it would be more impressive, less boring.” He adds offhandedly. The Frenchman smiles to himself. “I believe Da Vinci’s Lady would say the same things about you.” He reflects, stroking his mustache. The youth bristles. “Excuse me?” The Frenchman smiles. “Mon’Amie, the paintings hanging in this museum pronounce the same sentence upon you as you do them. Yes indeed, the lady has weighed you, and found you lacking.” He reflects pensively before walking away. Thomas Jefferson once remarked, “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” Actions often reveal the inner story of the person: ideals, opinions, interests. As the young tourist above realized, responses reveal as much about one self as they do about the subject in question. French Philosopher and Theorist, Jean Baudrillard, born July 1929, furthered Modern Philosophy by postulating that the perception of a thing reveals information both about the perceivers and the thing itself. He expounded upon this idea in his work …show more content…
His theory on the ever increasing pervasiveness of simulacra has proven more true as time marches onward. Just as the young man’s reflections on Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa judges him, the simulacra plaguing Post-Modern thought, if such a thing truly exists, and is not a simulacrum itself, reveals the collapsing foundation under the present culture. As time progresses, perhaps Hamilton’s raps will override handwritten accounts of Alexander Hamilton’s life as the ultimate Hamilton authority. Perhaps Pumpkin Spice Lattes will become the ideal of pumpkin