Emma Lisa

I have never understood the big fuss over the painting "Mona Lisa". It has been considered great art for a long time, but I couldn't see why that painting is at the top of the art world and not a painting of someone else. Well, I think I might finally have figured it out.

At Christmas I recieved a school picture of my granddaughter Em and one of my grandson Alex, so, I framed them and hung them up. I already had a watercolor and a few other photos on the wall so Em's picture was hung next to my grandmothers kitchen clock where it fit perfectly. Alex's picture was larger and was hung in a spot on the same wall over my chair.

When my daughter Hannah gave me the picture of Em, she kind of apologized for the lack of a large smile on Em. When Em brought the pictures home from school, Hannah asked her why she hadn't smiled for the pictures. Em replied she didn't feel like it.

Alex's picture has a broad smile. He is very happy to be the center of attention and I think has already figured out the power of his smile. If Alex could put a caption under the picture it might read: "Aren't I just the cat's meow, really?"

Em's picture is much different. She is peeking around the clock to see what you are up to. When I blog, she is watching and waiting to see what I've written about today. She is mildly amused, not from my writings, but from obseving me write. Her empathy comes through the picture. No matter where you sit around the table, she follows your actions. She is not watching-- but observing, learning something about those at the table.

Alex's picture is a window to Alex. You feel his happiness through his smile and that makes you smile. Most portait pictures are like that.

Candid pictures supply insight into the thoughts of someone caught unawares. Sometimes candid photos are better at capturing the essence of someone than portraits. One of my favorite photos is a candid photo of my son Matt and Daughter Hannah, grappling in mutual head locks, each vying for advantage over the other. It hung on my refigerator for quite awhile.

Em's picture falls into a different category. She is the observer. You are the observed. I think that's why the Mona Lisa has stuck around and risen to the top of the art world. I don't think it was the brush strokes or composition. It looks at you, not judging or encouraging, just observing, musing over what she sees.