This work began as a challenge to myself to reconstruct one of the famous works of the master painters in broken ceramic tile. My goal was that it be done in time to participate in the year's upcycling art gallery show. I met the goal, but also I met with so much more. As I recreated this masterpiece I dug a little deeper into the life of Lisa Gherardini, only known as the wife of nobleman Francesco del Giocondo and acquaintance of Leonardo Da Vinci. Despite the lack of information, there was, of course, much speculation in all I read of some illicit affair between the lady and the painter; speculation without a shred of evidence mind you. Nowhere in all my reading did I come across any description of her as a person, who she was, what she did, if she was content in life. Nothing. Just the wife of a prominent businessman and political figure. Just the model for a painting. Just the slightest note of a smile captured on canvas. What woman hasn't smiled like that to save face, when what she really wanted was to cry or scream or just be left alone? As I painted her tricky smile I kept thinking back to that scene from the movie "Mona Lisa Smile" where Betty confronts her mother "She's smiling. Is she happy? ... "She looks happy, so what does it matter?"
