The Secret of the Mona Lisa

Why does the Mona Lisa smile?

Bestselling author Beate Rygiert tells an opulent and exciting story about the origin of the world‘s most famous painting.

Florence, 1494: Lisa Gherardina and Giuliano from the powerful Medici dynasty are secretly a couple. When the Medici family are driven out of town, young Lisa’s father forces her to marry the much older silk merchant, Francesco del Giocondo. But her heart still belongs to her lover.

Venice, 1495: Leonardo da Vinci is the most famous artist of his time. When Giuliano de Medici asks him to paint a portrait of Lisa in order to send messages to his lover, Leonardo joins in this risky game. As a result Lisa not only ends up in a dangerous conspiracy but her heart is also sorely tested.

Bestselling author Beate Rygiert tells an opulent and exciting story about the origin of the world‘s most famous painting from the point of view of Leonardo da Vinci and Mona Lisa, one of the most mysterious women in the world‘s history 

Mona Lisa: an eventful life, a great love, a deep friendship and a political conspiracy 

English sample translation and outline available 

Rights sold to: Czech Republic and Spain