Lisa Gherardini gets a new home!

The portrait of Lisa Gherardini, better known as The Mona Lisa, finally has a new home at the Salle des Etats in the Louvre. About fucking time!Like the crowds weren't bad enough before *shudder* The Da Vinci Code.

I met Mrs. Gherardini in person last year in Paris, and I wasn't disappointed. What I don't understand is how people can trek all the way to and through the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa only to exclaim "Wah! So small one, ar?" when they see it in person. It's so much easier getting to know a little bit about a painting before you appreciate it in person than battling the crowds in the Louvre on a nice spring day. What an injustice. Anyway, when I first saw the Mona Lisa, there so many Japanese tourists with their Nikons and 2000 watt flash clicking away that I swore her smile was turning into a grimace. After patiently waiting quite a while, I finally got to have a brief moment with her before I was jostled away by some loud Greeks and their Olympus' snapping away.

There are so many wonderful things about the Mona Lisa that if I went into detail I would be up for another 2 hours. But my advice to you is this : Look at this portrait with the patience of Mondrian, the eye of Cézanne and your own heart. You will be pleasantly surprised.

As to Ms. Gherardini - congratulations on your new home. Having your own wall was long overdue.