I just didn't get it the first time I saw Ginerva de' Benci. It just didn't seem quite right somehow. This was a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, and he was one of the greatest artists ever and yet, there seemed something wrong about the painting.
But the second time, when I got a chance to spend more time with her, I came away impressed.
One, the painting had been cut down. I could just imagine myself thinking that the painting would be just a bit better if it were trimmed to fit a smaller space. Then, someone seeing the painting after it had been altered. Their face looking much like Ginerva's as the knowledge seeped into them that the artwork would never be the same.
A tragic mistake, but it didn't affect her value as much as it could have.
I'd not been sure about the juniper bushes behind her, but I discovered had a reason for being there, perhaps as a play on her name.
But the lifelike skin, and texture of her hair impressed me when I stood closer.
And then when I looked at the photo with a reflected glare, I imaged life from inside the canvas. I hope the real Ginerva was happy.
But the second time, when I got a chance to spend more time with her, I came away impressed.
One, the painting had been cut down. I could just imagine myself thinking that the painting would be just a bit better if it were trimmed to fit a smaller space. Then, someone seeing the painting after it had been altered. Their face looking much like Ginerva's as the knowledge seeped into them that the artwork would never be the same.
A tragic mistake, but it didn't affect her value as much as it could have.
I'd not been sure about the juniper bushes behind her, but I discovered had a reason for being there, perhaps as a play on her name.
But the lifelike skin, and texture of her hair impressed me when I stood closer.
And then when I looked at the photo with a reflected glare, I imaged life from inside the canvas. I hope the real Ginerva was happy.
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