Topic > The Mona Lisa as a symbol and cultural authority

The Mona Lisa is a portrait painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. It is considered high art as it is part of the fine arts and is highly prized and was exhibited mainly to the upper classes and elites. Mona was a merchant's wife who represented wealth and class. During this period those who were painted or were the subjects of a work of art were considered high class or well known. The fine arts rely heavily on institutions that uphold educational rules and standards based on long traditions and methods of craftsmanship and skill. High art recognizes tradition but also pushes it beyond the limits, respect for traditions is a step forward of conquest. Leonardo surpassed those who preceded him and thus achieved success in the fine arts. The Mona Lisa was part of illusionism and represented the vision that is an instrument of all knowledge and understanding of the truth. This would be seen as high culture according to the Leavisities and Frankfurt critical theorists because the fine arts are considered high art as they represent the best of culture or the canon of good works. Mona Lisa comes to signify and achieve authority in the West that extends throughout the world, it has become a cultural symbol and authority. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay An example of a reproduction of the Mona Lisa is The Sprinkle water packaging as a “Mona Lisa Art Collection.” This gives a sense of luxury to the fact that it is a limited edition, especially when the only features that can be seen are its eyes staring at the consumer. This demonstrates the detachment from the original due to mass reproduction which levosity and Frankfurt would justify as popular culture or low culture and also which takes away the essence and richness of the original. It is a copy of the original that can be reproduced over and over again where there can only be one of the original. Mona Lisa being a cultural icon, represents class and luxury thanks to its "Aura", the energy that the original sends with only the eye in the package speaks to us without communication. This reproduction and manipulation of the Mona Lisa is primarily aimed at selling through the use of iconic figures as a means of promoting luxury and class. Linking to Ingris' article “privileges mindless entertainment over high culture”, this example is similar to Beethoven's Symphonies being used as a means to advertise products while undermining the context of the “original”. Leavisities and Frankfurt critical theorists believe that this example proves their point of how culture in modern society is produced solely to sell rather than enable people to do critical things due to profit in capitalist society leading to the decline of authentic art through the increased industrialization of culture. But British cultural theorists believe that this manipulation and reproduction of the original is also a part of culture as it represents mass culture with the example of the Mona Lisa and its reproduction allows high art to reach the realm of everyday life with interactions within consumer culture. The way people interact with different cultures is different due to different cultural values ​​and beliefs that shape an outlook. However, the Sprinkle Water company was founded in Thailand. Due to the influence in western culture, people also see the Mona Lisa as a high thing since it is part of fine arts, it is highly valued in fine arts. Today it is preserved in the museum with a high conservation process to avoid its degradation.