This week, the Mona Lisa has been at the center of misinformation claiming that Emmanuel Macron is considering selling the painting for Louvre renovations. While its estimated value ranges from 1 to 2 billion euros, French law prohibits the sale of public domain artworks. The rumors originated from a parody account and were inaccurately reported by some media. Macron announced a renovation plan for the Louvre, emphasizing the Mona Lisa’s future prominence in the museum.
The Mona Lisa and the Recent Fake News
This week, the iconic Mona Lisa has become embroiled in a wave of misinformation sweeping across social media. Posts circulating online falsely claim that Emmanuel Macron is contemplating the sale of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece to fund upcoming renovations at the Louvre. This sensational notion has raised eyebrows and sparked debates among art enthusiasts and the general public alike.
The True Value of the Mona Lisa
Determining the worth of the Mona Lisa is no small feat. Notably, the highest price ever paid for a painting was for another Leonardo da Vinci work, the Salvator Mundi, which fetched an astounding $400 million in 2017. In contrast, the Mona Lisa is estimated to be valued between 1 and 2 billion euros, with some experts suggesting it could potentially reach up to 50 billion euros following the sale of the Salvator Mundi.
Should it ever be sold, the proceeds from the Mona Lisa would undoubtedly cover the Louvre’s renovation costs, projected at 800 million euros. However, it is essential to understand that even if President Macron had intentions to sell, he would be legally unable to do so. French legislation has prohibited the sale of artworks classified as public domain for five centuries, which includes the Mona Lisa and all pieces housed in national museums, making them inalienable and unsellable.
Debunking the Rumors
Misleading narratives surrounding the Mona Lisa are nothing new. Many internet users often suggest selling the painting to address issues such as pension funding or to alleviate public debt. This rumor is typically rooted in a misinterpretation of government actions or proposals. In this instance, the origin of the rumor can be traced back to a parody account that generates videos using artificial intelligence without clearly indicating their fictitious nature.
One such video depicted a dilapidated Louvre that appeared to have water leaking from the ceiling. Although this portrayal is entirely false, it was mistakenly reported by reputable media outlets, including CGTN. Compounding the issue, many of these parody posts display the blue verification badge on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which has now become available to anyone willing to pay for it since its acquisition by Elon Musk.
In a related announcement, President Macron revealed on January 28 a significant renovation initiative for the Louvre, anticipated to wrap up by 2031. The future of the Mona Lisa is a focal point in this renovation, with plans for the painting to have its dedicated space in the updated museum, potentially accompanied by an additional viewing fee.
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