Text-Number: 0163E
Available: 11/12/1996
Category: Culture, ScienceNumber of characters: 1257
Author: Roderich Marquart
Title:  Mona Lisa's Dirty Secret
Copyright: Roderich Marquart

Roderich Marquart

Mona Lisa's Dirty Secret

An Italian investigations team hired by undisclosed sources to look into the origins of Leonardo's smiling maiden has uncovered some startling revelations.
The subject of the famous painting, which has wooed the hearts of thousands of men over the centuries, was actually a gentleman by the name of Monagan Lisapacoccino, a Venician transvestite. To those unfamiliar with Venician history, it may be of interest to note that transvesticism was common in Leonardo's time and was looked favorably upon by the social elite. In fact, they played an integral role in the social activities of the upper class and entertained statesmen, rich merchants and evidently great artists as well.
It is not known, however, if Mr. Lisapacoccino was more intimately involved with Mr. da Vinci. Whether their relationship transgressed "professional" boundaries is still mere speculation. Denial of this discovery will no doubt run rampant. We understand that the curator of the Louvre in Paris, where the painting hangs, is persuing legal action to dispel the incredible revelation. We suggest he take a closer look, and as for the mystery of the strange smile of the subject, that too seems to have been effectively cleared up.