The Second Mrs. Giaconda
Encyclopedia
The Second Mrs. Giaconda (in later editions The Second Mrs. Gioconda) is a children's novel by E. L. Konigsburg
. Written from the point of view of Salai, apprentice to Leonardo da Vinci
, the book explores the origin of da Vinci's Mona Lisa
, and the question of why he chose to paint "the second wife of an unimportant Florentine merchant
" when royalty were begging for portraits. In this novel, it is the irresponsible Salai, prompted by the advice of the tragic Beatrice d'Este
that the painter must always "keep something wild, something irresponsible in his work," who persuades da Vinci to paint her. Other works of Leonardo are also discussed, and appear in an appendix to the book. The American Library Association
named the novel the Best Book of the Year for Young Adults for 1975.
Konigsburg, who originally held a "grudge" against da Vinci, came to admire him as both an artist and a person after reading Jacob Bronowski
's essay on the painter in The Horizon Book of the Renaissance. Bronowski's observation that Leonardo was insecure interested Konigsburg.
E. L. Konigsburg
Elaine Lobl Konigsburg is an American author and illustrator of children's books and young adult fiction. She is one of five authors to win two Newbery Medals, awarded annually for one contribution to American children's literature.Her first two manuscripts were submitted to editor Jean E...
. Written from the point of view of Salai, apprentice to Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance polymath: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer whose genius, perhaps more than that of any other figure, epitomized the Renaissance...
, the book explores the origin of da Vinci's Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa is a portrait by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. It is a painting in oil on a poplar panel, completed circa 1503–1519...
, and the question of why he chose to paint "the second wife of an unimportant Florentine merchant
Lisa del Giocondo
Lisa del Giocondo , also known as Lisa Gherardini, Lisa di Antonio Maria Gherardini and Mona Lisa, was a member of the Gherardini family of Florence and Tuscany in Italy...
" when royalty were begging for portraits. In this novel, it is the irresponsible Salai, prompted by the advice of the tragic Beatrice d'Este
Beatrice d'Este
Beatrice d'Este , duchess of Milan, one of the most beautiful and accomplished princesses of the Italian Renaissance, was the daughter of Ercole I d'Este and younger sister of Isabella d'Este and Alfonso d'Este....
that the painter must always "keep something wild, something irresponsible in his work," who persuades da Vinci to paint her. Other works of Leonardo are also discussed, and appear in an appendix to the book. The American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
named the novel the Best Book of the Year for Young Adults for 1975.
Konigsburg, who originally held a "grudge" against da Vinci, came to admire him as both an artist and a person after reading Jacob Bronowski
Jacob Bronowski
Jacob Bronowski was a Polish-Jewish British mathematician, biologist, historian of science, theatre author, poet and inventor...
's essay on the painter in The Horizon Book of the Renaissance. Bronowski's observation that Leonardo was insecure interested Konigsburg.