Miss Mona Lisa 1958
February 1958: A jury of "celebrated painters" convened for the Mona Lisa Grand Prix awarded the title of "Mona Lisa 1958" to Luce Bona. What made the award slightly unusual is that Bona hadn't been a contestant. The judges just happened to see her as she was walking by outside and decided she was the one. At least, that was the story reported in the press.
Here's the winner from the previous year, Maria Lea. Apparently the gimmick of this contest was that the winner posed in a picture frame, which made her somehow like the Mona Lisa.
Later in 1958 a jury of French mystery writers selected Luce Bona as the girl with the "Most Devilish Eyes." I'm assuming she was actually entered into that contest.
I can't find any references to Luce Bona after 1958. Perhaps she gave up modeling, despite such a promising start.
Louisville Courier-Journal - Feb 19, 1958
Here's the winner from the previous year, Maria Lea. Apparently the gimmick of this contest was that the winner posed in a picture frame, which made her somehow like the Mona Lisa.
The Lincoln Star - Jan 13, 1957
Later in 1958 a jury of French mystery writers selected Luce Bona as the girl with the "Most Devilish Eyes." I'm assuming she was actually entered into that contest.
I can't find any references to Luce Bona after 1958. Perhaps she gave up modeling, despite such a promising start.
Wilmington News Journal - Apr 12, 1958
Comments
The 1957 "winner" had her hands about right, at least.
Posted by Virtual on 12/05/16 at 10:33 AM
It would be more interesting to see ladies who resemble those pained by Pablo Piccaso.
Posted by BMN on 12/05/16 at 02:21 PM
If that's a typo, BMN, it's an apt one.
Posted by Richard Bos on 12/05/16 at 02:43 PM
A typo, but I would much rather have a Leonardo on the wall of my hovel than a Pablo.
Posted by BMN on 12/05/16 at 07:10 PM
This reminds me about the historical-trivia question:
Which one of these is the greatest paragon of feminine beauty?
(a) the great natural beauty of Queen Cleopatra VII of ancient Egypt?
(b) Mona Lisa's bright white teeth? or
(c) the way Marilyn Monroe's blond curls cascaded over her shoulders?
In actuality, Cleopatra didn't look so good, as attested by ancient coins bearing her image; Mona Lisa's teeth didn't show through her shut lips; and, after starting to dye her hair from brown to blond, Marilyn Monroe almost always wore off-the-shoulder coifs.
So, "none of the above".
Which one of these is the greatest paragon of feminine beauty?
(a) the great natural beauty of Queen Cleopatra VII of ancient Egypt?
(b) Mona Lisa's bright white teeth? or
(c) the way Marilyn Monroe's blond curls cascaded over her shoulders?
In actuality, Cleopatra didn't look so good, as attested by ancient coins bearing her image; Mona Lisa's teeth didn't show through her shut lips; and, after starting to dye her hair from brown to blond, Marilyn Monroe almost always wore off-the-shoulder coifs.
So, "none of the above".
Posted by Joshua Zev Levin, Ph.D. on 12/06/16 at 04:58 AM
Mona, as with most things famous, is not as large as you would expect. The painting is slightly smaller than life-size and very hard to see due to the constant crowd around the display at the Louvre.
Posted by KDP on 12/06/16 at 08:01 AM
Depends on the time you're there, but usually, yeah it's busy.
Actually, I preferred Da Vinci's Belle Ferroniere, which was in the same room when I was there and probably still is.
Actually, I preferred Da Vinci's Belle Ferroniere, which was in the same room when I was there and probably still is.
Posted by Richard Bos on 12/06/16 at 09:06 AM
Bos, I like the Gabrielle d'Estree painting. I'm travelling to France this spring and will visit the Louvre after thirty years to view it again. It shows that classic portraiture is not always stuffy.
Posted by KDP on 12/06/16 at 01:04 PM
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Category: Art | Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests | Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues | 1950s