Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

4 Extra Debut. Dianne Hales investigates the real Mona Lisa? Why did Leonardo paint her? Why does her smile enchant us? Read by Nancy Crane.

A genius immortalised her. A French king paid a fortune for her. An emperor coveted her. Every year more than 9 million visitors trek to view her portrait in the Louvre. Yet while everyone recognizes her smile, hardly anyone knows her story.

Mona Lisa: A Life Discovered - a blend of biography, history, and memoir - truly is a book of discovery about the world's most recognised face, most revered artist, and most praised and parodied painting.

Who was she, this ordinary woman who rose to such extraordinary fame? Why did the most
renowned painter of her time choose her as his model? What became of her? And why does her smile enchant us still?

The author, Dianne Hales, is a prize-winning, widely published journalist and author. The President of Italy awarded her an honorary knighthood in recognition of her internationally bestselling book, La Bella Lingua.

Abridged by Eileen Horne
Reader: Nancy Crane
Producer: Clive Brill
A Brill production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

15 minutes

Last on

Tue 30 Apr 2019 02:45

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

See all episodes from Book of the Week

Credits

Role Contributor
Reader Nancy Crane
Producer Clive Brill
Abridger Eileen Horne
Author Dianne Hales

Broadcasts

  • Mon 11 Aug 2014 09:45
  • Tue 12 Aug 2014 00:30
  • Mon 29 Apr 2019 14:45
  • Tue 30 Apr 2019 02:45

Listen to more Audio Books

Listen to more Audio Books

Including My Sister The Serial Killer, Queenie, The Flatshare and more.

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

Sample our books and authors Clip Collection

Interviews, previews and reviews

Subscribe to the Short stories podcast

Featuring the best stories from the UK's finest writers

How many of these 100 Novels have you read?

How many of these 100 Novels have you read?

After a passionate debate, our panel has come up with this surprising literary selection.

Finding Your Story

Finding Your Story

Ten remarkable novels about identity: Which one will help you discover yourself?

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts: Books

Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.