Leonardo da Vinci - Mona Lisa

by tons of other people, so you’re unlikely to be able to get that close to it. It’s still exciting to see such a famous painting in real life, but I think what most visitors will take away is the feeling of surprise about how small the painting is.

You’ll see lots of people taking photos with the flash left on, even though you’re not meant to. I wish people wouldn’t do that. I took a non-flash photo of it, and you can definitely tell what painting it is!

You don’t have to be a fan of paintings or museum to like the Mona Lisa. I’m not a painting fan, but this one is interesting in itself because of its popularity. While looking at it, I felt privileged to see it. Not many people I know have seen it and it’s a totally different feeling to see it there compare to see it on TV or in a movie. A must see in Paris.

Very overrated. Surrounded by a crowd of people with cameras going off. I never understood the appeal of this painting anyway.

Worth going just to say you’ve done it, I guess. Expect a huge group of tourists crowding around it at all times with flash bulbs going off (even though you’re not allowed to take flash photographs).

Picture it in your head. It’s about 10 times smaller than you’re expecting.

Avoid it. The Mona Lisa draws HUGE crowds, and it’s nearly impossible to get close enough to see it. If you can get to it, it’s lovely and wonderful to see up close…it’s just that whole getting to it issue.

I remember the crowds and trying to get a good photo of “The Mona Lisa” without using a flash. I visited in the mid-80’s…pre-pyramid.

Many people think it’s overrated, and many think the crowd that surrounds it is just too much. However, seeing the Mona Lisa was a very monumental moment for me. If you appreciate art and history, it will be a wonderful moment for you too. Just being able to see the actual painting that Leonardo da Vinci painted… Standing certain distances from it and admiring it just as he did while painting it… it’s a great feeling, and it’s a wonderful accomplishment for an artist as well.

I’m not really into art I was pretty much at the Lovre for the egyptian section, but since it was there and our group was going there anyways (yes I’m the spring break kid) I took a peak.
I hadn’t read anything about it so like most say… it was smaller than anticipated, but I wasn’t that impressed.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a great painting but why had it become so famous when there are others that go unnoticed that are much better?
I dunno, if I went back to the Lovre I would visit the Mona Lisa again, I would recommend anyone to see it, but pretty much just for the bragging rights (is that so wrong?)

i have a photo from this angle except some ‘white hair’ got in my picture… sad, eh?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artserverpimp/238862665/

If you have limited time for the Louvre (like, less than a week?) skip it. It really is a nice painting but like some other people have pointed out: you can study it in much more detail in the privacy of your own home than in the Louvre, and you probably have already. Use the time for something else, there is so much to see in the Louvre.

Oh and if you go there please don’t be a stupid turist and take a picture of it.. it damages the painting.