10 Greatest Paintings

There are many different opinions about art and paintings, and probably no two people would  choose exactly the same 10 paintings as the world's greatest. One constant, however, seems to be the inclusion of the  Mona Lisa in the top 10, usually in the #1 spot.

At the Masters Mind there is an interesting list of 10 greatest paintings of fascinating models. Take a look at a glimpse of the personal lives of the people that have posed as subjects or models in 10 well known paintings.

The Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa is widely considered the greatest portrait of all time. It appears in countless advertisements, has inspired poetry, sculpture, forgeries, and theft. But seriously, why? The painting is small, only 30 x 21 inches, the color is somber, the background seems desolate and eerie, and the subject isn't anyone historically significant. So, what is all the brouhaha about? Is it really all about her mystifying gaze and a quirkly smile? Well, let's take a closer look.

Mona Lisa Mania

"Da Vinci's Mona Lisa has been reproduced (posters, greeting cards, etc.) and reinvented (advertisements, artworks, etc.) more than any other artwork in the world. Mona mania began in 1911 when the painting was stolen from The Louvre. The painting achieved an anthropomorphic status as French and Italian states sought to rescue the work as though it were a damsel in distress. The story of the theft appealed to the Victorian love of Romance in the art and Literature. The event inspired artists, playwrights and musicians to celebrate the painting by creating new works with the Mona Lisa in mind. They say the imitation is the highest from of flattery."

Learn all you ever wanted to know - and more - about the Mona Lisa at Mona Lisa Mania.

Find facts and trivia, FAQs, theories,  and pictures of  works based on the original Mona Lisa.