Louvre: Mona Lisa deteriorating quickly

[Ediacara]

Louvre: Mona Lisa deteriorating quickly

By CECILE BRISSON
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER


Tourists take pictures of Leonardo
De Vinci's Mona Lisa behind her
protective glass at the Louvre Museum
in Paris in this March 27, 1998 file
photo. The Mona Lisa's thin poplar wood
panel has undergone a significant
deformation since conservation experts
last evaluated the painting, the Louvre
said in a statement. The Louvre said
the condition of the Mona Lisa was causing
"some worry" and that a new study on the
state of the work has been launched.
(AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

PARIS -- The Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece of a mysterious woman with a slight smile, is deteriorating quickly, the Louvre Museum said Monday, announcing that an in-depth technical study was being conducted to determine why.

The thin, poplar wood panel on which the artwork is painted has become deformed since conservation experts last evaluated the condition of the painting, the Louvre said. The artwork is inspected every 1-2 years.

The Louvre said the condition of the Mona Lisa was causing "some worry" and that a new study has been launched, but one that will allow the painting to remain in the public eye.

More at the Seattle P-I

[callous taoboy]

1. Mona Lisa:

New candidate for Extreme Makeover.

[Bake]

2. This is sad

A few years ago I took my family to Paris and we stood in front of the Mona Lisa. Inexplicably, it brought tears to my eyes, to actually stand in the presence of such a work of genius, a piece I had seen in pictures and books my whole life. I hope they can stop the deterioration.

Bake

[Justitia]

3. Art evokes strong emotion

I remember walking into the Sistine Chapel and every single hair on my head and neck standing on end - instantly. I also lost all the air in my lungs when I saw David and The Pieta in person.

Everyone should have these magical, visceral responses - I hope they save her...

[Andy_Stephenson]

4. I these feelings in London at the

British Museum...The Rosetta stone is what did it for me. But then Egyptology was my greatest passion in high school.