"For nearly 500 years the painting has been a source of mystery, speculation and reverence. In this groundbreaking book Donald Sassoon describes not only the Mona Lisa and its history, but its mythology, and the processes which raised it to its current level of fame. He examines Leonardo's innovative techniques; the problems concerning the identity of the sitter; the painting's celebration by 19th century intellectuals; its theft early in the 20th century; modern artists' and cartoonists' uses of it; its appropriation by the advertising industry; and the never-ending flood of theories about Mona Lisa's smile."

Having a clear-out and trying to be realistic about what I'll ever get around to reading. Passing this on for someone else to read.