Derek Bair

The anatomy of Mona Lisa: Love's prison

February 5, 2007 | Comment icon

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After 4 days of semi-insanity, a life time of uncertainty, and almost a year of research Derek is finally done with his book titled; The Anatomy of Mona Lisa: Love’s Prison. Aptly titled from a quote from Da Vinci himself “If Liberty is Dear to you may you never discover that my face is Love’s prison.” This book answers questions that no one even knew needed answering. There are 331 pages and 15 chapters which span subjects like perspective, perception, philosophy, science, art, and of course The Mona Lisa. Her history, her identity, her uncertainty – this book finally answers within a shadow of a doubt who the “woman” in the painting really is and why no one could have figured it out until now. It explains how Da Vinci intended there to be mystery but left behind clues – a web of mysteries to get people asking questions. Why is the perspective off? Why are there layers of paint invisible to the naked eye? Why can’t we figure out his technique for applying the paint? Why does her gaze seem to follow you and her expression change? Why are there 3 other paintings underneath?What is she smiling about? These are questions that have eluded people for centuries. The Anatomy of Mona Lisa not only answers these questions but raises some of its own..What creates Genius? What made Da Vinci so unique and different? What’s enabled Derek to notice things no one else has been able to? Could autism be the answer? What is autism anyways?

Derek makes some pretty fantastic claims; “The Mona Lisa contains thousands of other images, animations, and is so perfect it could be considered a photograph!” How ever incredible these ideas may be all of his findings are backed up with pictures and quotes from Da Vinci’s own journals. Derek also has discovered a new way to view Leonardo Da Vinci’s art that wasn’t conceived of until hundreds of years later – stereo grams and eye crossing techniques – which relate to The Last Supper and explain some of it’s mysteries as well. Including answering why the hand holding a knife is there, why the person next to Jesus looks like a woman, and interestingly enough confirms Dan Browns suspicions about the painting. Derek has also found another painting of Da Vinci’s lover which superimposes and combines with the Mona Lisa. The composite image creates their painted – metaphorical daughter.. This isn’t just a fabricated story but an explanation that is supported with various facts and coincidences that Derek shows were left behind by Da Vinci himself for someone to unravel this mystery. As they say an artist uses lies to tell the truth and this was exactly what Da Vinci did. Derek shows how the Title was a clever construction of Da Vinci’s to elude to the identity of the person in the painting and to compare and combine it with his own self portrait and the portrait of Salai (his lover) who “coincidentally” is an anagram of the title itself.. MONALISA rearranged spells – “Mon Salai” or “M on Salai” which means “my salai” in French.

Derek also demonstrates how the other various titles and curiosities point to the same conclusion. “The Mona Lisa is a culmination of the worlds greatest genius’s knowledge and his final legacy.. “ Another mystery is finally put to rest; the Shroud of Turin which is said to be the single most studied human artifact in human history. Derek has some pretty undeniable proof that Da Vinci created this image. It surprisingly matches up with some of his other art which is also demonstrated in this book. The Anatomy of Mona Lisa is also interwoven with something Derek calls “interjections” which are his personal struggles and the journey in making these discoveries. Possibly just as intriguing as the ideas presented are who they come from. Derek is a 23 year old aspiring photographer and writer who set out to follow his dream about writing a book for those struggling to grow up, a guide to life you could say. In the process of his writing something happened that changed his direction from a self help book to trying and answering the greatest mysteries surrounding the world’s greatest work of art. How and why you’ll have to read for yourself but it started out by staying up for 4 days in a row and having to go a little crazy to find his sanity. Thankfully he did and awoke with something to show for it. “Fascinating” “intriguing” “impossible” are all words that may come to mind. Derek is incredibly perceptive or delusional - either way it makes for a book that gets you thinking. Love’s Prison is also filled with exercises and “try it yourself” sections that help you not only understand your own mind, but what you’re thoughts consist of. The Anatomy of Mona Lisa is a trek into the human mind. A quest that just might make you change the way you perceive the world.