Recreating Mona

In the bustling city of Florence, amidst the Renaissance fervor, a young artist named Carlo Romano found himself captivated by the enigmatic allure of the Mona Lisa, the famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. He spent countless hours studying the painting, pondering the secrets hidden behind her enigmatic smile.

Carlo, a talented painter himself, longed to capture the essence of that captivating smile and recreate the Mona Lisa's mysterious charm on his own canvas. To do this, he enlisted the help of his high school crush, Alessia Greco. Alessia hadn’t paid much attention to Carlo prior, but after seeing his drawings, she was quite intrigued by him.

One day, Carlo informs Alessia of his plan to recreate the Mona Lisa, and proceeds to ask her to be the subject of the painting. Fortunately, she accepted. “When”, she asks. Carlo replies, “Now.” Excitedly, they proceed to Carlo’s office and get to work. She puts on a black robe that Carlo gives her, similar to the one Mona wears in the original painting. She then sits down in a chair and assumes the pose. Every brushstroke he applied, every hue he blended, was infused with the spirit of the Mona Lisa.

As Carlo delved deeper into his artistic pursuit, he couldn't help but fall in love with the woman he was painting. To him, she became more than just a muse; she became a beacon of inspiration and a symbol of love. He poured his heart and soul into the artwork, hoping to convey his emotions through every stroke of the brush.

One day, as Carlo worked tirelessly in his studio, he noticed another young woman observing his painting with a mix of curiosity and awe. Her name was Isabella Rossi, a kind-hearted and gentle soul who had a deep appreciation for art, and for some reason, carried a dagger by her hip. Intrigued by Carlo’s interpretation of the Mona Lisa, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him and his work.

Isabella's visits to Carlo’s studio became a ritual. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, filled with shared passion for beauty and creativity. They discussed the nuances of art, the emotions it evoked, and the stories it told. In each other's presence, they found solace and a profound connection that transcended words.

As time passed, Carlo’s painting neared completion. The Mona Lisa's smile, now painted with the colors of his love, radiated a warmth and tenderness that captured the essence of his affection for Alessia. When he finally revealed his masterpiece to Isabella, she was overwhelmed with emotion, for she saw herself reflected in the eyes of the painting. However, what she didn’t know was that his work was inspired by his feelings for another woman. Although the two women looked similar (same hair, skin tone, and body shape), Carlo knew the difference deep down.

Carlo and Isabella’s relationship blossomed against the backdrop of their shared appreciation for art. They explored Florence together, hand in hand, seeking inspiration in every corner of the city. Carlo continued to create beautiful artworks, but it was the Mona Lisa, the embodiment of their “love”, that remained his most cherished masterpiece.

One night, as they snuggle and kiss affectionately in Carlo’s bed, Carlo’s mind wanders to the point where he becomes distant. Isabella notices and arises from his person. Feeling disappointed, she questions his actions. Carlo is exhausted from his dishonesty with himself and realizes he has a confession to make then and there. He confesses to her his true love for Alessia and the true inspiration for his work. This becomes a dagger in Isabella’s heart. In a devastated, tearful tone, she storms out from Carlo’s abode.

After days have passed, Carlo and Isabella’s connection is far gone. He feels oh so guilty for allowing himself to lead on such a sweet young woman.

While sitting in the heart of the village park in his forlorn state, Carlo is approach by none other than his muse, Alessia. She notices his pain and questions it. He informs her of his wrongdoing at the expense of Isabella, and that the reason for it was true feelings for the woman now in his presence. On top of his current guilt, he was certain that Alessia did not feel the same way. Though that may have been true, Alessia made sure to comfort him with her embrace and gratitude, because she did not want to compound Carlo’s pain by telling him that the feeling is not mutual. They sit there and just embrace with great intimacy.

Suddenly, I sharp dagger impales Alessia’s back. She coughs up blood and collapses onto Carlo. He screams in horror as he holds her in his arms. He pulls the dagger from her back and notices that it’s just like the one that Isabella carried. He realizes, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the woman that he thought he loved had just murdered the woman he actually loved. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and that fury that he had created within Isabella had caused him a lifetime of pain and sorrow.

Carlo’s painting of the New Mona Lisa became a symbol of his eternal love for Alessia Greco—a testament to the power of art to capture and preserve the essence of love.

Today, the painting hangs in a small gallery in Florence, visited by art enthusiasts from all walks of life. They marvel at its beauty and feel a sense of the love that once inspired its creation. And as they gaze upon the New Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile, they can't help but be reminded of the timeless, but fatal, love triangle story between Carlo, Alessia and Isabella—a story that found its expression through the brushstrokes of an artist who dared to capture the ineffable.