We had a big sleep-in this morning. When we were ready, we went to the Louvre. The Mona-Lisa was very popular and is now cased in a new glass cabinet/wall. We also saw other areas including the Egyptian area where there was a mummy. After the Louvre, we walked to the Tuillerie gardens. Just opposite there is the famous restaurant ‘Angelina’. We went in for afternoon tea. OH MY it was DIVINE!!! The most unreal hot chocolate ever and the cakes were so rich we all struggled to finish them. We really recommend this restaurant. Coco Chanel has been there and many top models frequent there for lunch.
Did you know this about the Mona Lisa?
1. She was stolen in 1911 by an employe of the louvre who believed she should be returned to Italy and displayed in a museum there. After 2 years, he decided to sell it to Italy but was sent to prison,. However, he only stayed in jail for 6 months as he was hailed for his patriotism.
2. In 1956 a man threw a rock at the painting which resulted in a small patch of damage to her left elbow. This was restored.
3. The Mona Lisa used to be housed in a square glass cabinet but in 2009, a Russian woman who did not get French citizenship, threw a mug at the glass which in turn, shattered. This is why it is now in a new glass enclosure.
4. The Mona Lisa is actually not the correct spelling it is Monna Lisa, which means My Lady in Italian.
No comments:
Post a Comment