The Mona Lisa is a fake.

Sara’s great post had me ruminating again on the most famous painting in the world. When I saw it, I peered for a good few minutes. However, as I’ve posted before, back in 1972, I think it has to be a fake. I dun the maths, like.

I am basing my hypothesis on this picture, which is typical of my experience in the company of La Gioconda. The poor girl was flashed at more than 3 times a second on average. This picture was a half second exposure, capturing two other people’s flash exposures. I would have liked to shoot a -really- long exposure, but tripods are not allowed…this was a hold my breath effort. Over an eight hour day that’s over 86000 flashes going off in her boat race. Let’s be super generous and say it’s 50000 times a day. A DAY. Or, if you prefer, over 18 million times a year. I know the old girl’s behind glass, but I can’t believe it’s the original. Proof, that is. Maybe.