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Mona Lisa Memorabilia Collection (SC-18)

 Item
Identifier: SC-18

Abstract

The collection consists of various forms of memorabilia (postcards, cartoons, brochures, greeting cards, buttons, pins, stickers) depicting Leonardo da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa" as appropriated art. The collection was assembled by Mary Moore Jacoby in honor of Pinkney L. Near, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' senior curator, who died in 1990.

Dates

  • undated

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The collection is subject to all copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright, beyond that allowed by fair use, requires the researcher to obtain permission of copyright holders.

Historical Note

The "Mona Lisa", believed to have been painted sometime between 1503 and 1506, is Leonardo da Vinci’s most recognizable work, and is considered the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, and the most parodied work of art in the world. It is believed to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a successful silk and wool trader. With her enigmatic expression, and its atmospheric, imaginary background, the painting has captured the imagination. Because it is considered in the public domain, artists, including Marcel Duchamp, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol, have been free to reproduce and alter the painting as they wished. The painting now belongs to the French Government and is on permanent display at the Louvre museum in Paris.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 item)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is organized into one series.

Series 1
Memorabilia

Custodial History

The collection was donated by Mary Moore Jacoby in January 1996.

Processing Information

The assembled collection was left intact in the original binder.

Title
Finding Aids to Special Collections in the VMFA Archives | Mona Lisa Memorabilia Collection
Subtitle
Special Collection 18 (SC-18)
Author
Kevin Williams, Archives Intern; Finding aid encoded by Sylvio Lynch III, Archives Intern (2020)
Date
2014
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Archives Repository

Contact:
Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond VA 23220-4007 United States
804-340-1495