Episode 1
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 麻豆社 Radio 4
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Reader | Nancy Crane |
| Producer | Clive Brill |
| Abridger | Eileen Horne |
| Author | Dianne Hales |
Broadcasts
Mon 11 Aug 2014 09:45麻豆社 Radio 4 FM- Tue 12 Aug 2014 00:30麻豆社 Radio 4
- Mon 29 Apr 2019 14:45麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 30 Apr 2019 02:45麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
Listen to more Audio Books
Including My Sister The Serial Killer, Queenie, The Flatshare and more.
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?
After a passionate debate, our panel has come up with this surprising literary selection.
Finding Your Story
Ten remarkable novels about identity: Which one will help you discover yourself?
麻豆社 Arts: Books
Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.