45241
Accession Number
27427
Author
Borkowski, Joseph E.
Author Affiliation
St. Mary's College
Title Of Article Chaper
Mona Lisa: The Enigma of the Smile
Title Of Journal Book
Journal of Forensic Sciences
Volume
37
Issue
6
Pages
1706-1711
Collation
6 p. : ill.
Reference Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references
Publisher
American Society for Testing and Materials
Publisher City
Philadelphia
ISSN
0022-1198
Language Of Text
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci, 1503, pictures a smile that has been long the subject of conjecture. It is believed, however, that the Mona Lisa does not smile; she wears and expression common to people who have lost their front teeth. A close-up of the lip area shows a scar that is not unlike that left by the application of blunt force. The changes evident in the perioral area are such that occur when the anterior teeth are lost. The scar under the lower lip of the Mona Lisa is similar to the created, when, as a result of force, the incisal edges of the teeth have pierced the face with a penetrating wound.
Keywords
Mona Lisa;teeth;smile;Da Vinci
pub_id
45241