The Mona Lisa Curse

The Mona Lisa Curse presents art critic Robert Hughes’ perspective on the transformation of the art world over the past half-century. Hughes argues that the 1963 American tour of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa marked a pivotal moment in art history, initiating what he terms a “curse” on the art world.

The documentary traces the evolution of art from a cultural touchstone to a commodity, focusing on how this shift has impacted the quality and purpose of modern art. Hughes contends that the art market has become dominated by celebrity artists and wealthy investors, leading to a degradation of artistic value.

Throughout the film, Hughes offers pointed critiques of prominent figures in the art world. He describes artists such as Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Richard Prince as “celebrity businessmen” rather than true artists. The documentary also takes aim at major institutions like The Louvre and The Guggenheim, criticizing them for marketing themselves as commercial brands rather than cultural custodians.

Hughes presents a compelling case that the financialization of the art market has fundamentally altered art’s relationship with society, undermining its critical purpose in contemporary culture. He argues that this shift has led to a landscape where monetary value often overshadows artistic merit.

The film features interviews with key figures in the art world and visits to significant locations, including the Lever House in New York City, where Hughes engages in a notable exchange with collector Alberto Mugrabi about the merits of certain contemporary artists. Through these encounters and Hughes’ incisive commentary, the documentary paints a vivid picture of an art world in flux, grappling with the consequences of its own commercialization.