Episode 109: Will the real Mona Lisa Please Stand Up?

Today, we’re being classy. We’re talking about the Mona Lisa and her weird backstory. We also talk about Polybius, the arcade game that will steal your mind. It’s a fun show of urban legends.

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Will The Real Mona Lisa Please Stand Up?

Did you know the story of the Mona Lisa, one of the most renowned paintings in the world, steeped in history, intrigue, and mystery? Created by Leonardo da Vinci between 1503 and 1519, the Mona Lisa is believed to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine silk merchant named Francesco del Giocondo. Despite its current status as the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa was not always so celebrated. Before 1911, it was relatively obscure, even though it resided in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.

Leonardo da Vinci, a polymath and Renaissance genius, often worked on multiple projects simultaneously. He was known for his inventive spirit and brilliance but was also described as a flighty and reluctant artist. Painting was not always his passion, but rather a means to make a living. It is believed that Francesco del Giocondo commissioned the Mona Lisa as a portrait of his wife. However, there is no existing record of the agreed-upon payment nor proof that da Vinci delivered the painting to the Giocondo family. This lack of documentation is surprising, given that Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, was known for meticulous record-keeping. Some speculate that da Vinci either kept the painting for himself or never completed the contractual agreement.

The Mona Lisa’s journey to the Louvre in France remains somewhat enigmatic. Da Vinci spent the latter part of his life in France under the patronage of King Francis I, which may explain how the painting ended up in French hands. It was housed in the Louvre for centuries, and it was admired by art connoisseurs but did not achieve widespread fame. That changed dramatically on August 21, 1911, when an Italian handyman named Vincenzo Peruggia stole the painting in an audacious heist. Peruggia, who had previously worked at the Louvre, believed the painting belonged to Italy. He carried out the theft by hiding in the museum overnight, removing the painting from its frame, and walking out the following day with it concealed under his clothing.

The theft caused an international sensation. Newspapers worldwide covered the story, making the Mona Lisa a household name almost overnight. The painting’s whereabouts remained a mystery for two years, fueling conspiracy theories and speculation. Some believed the theft was orchestrated by wealthy art collectors or even masterminded by cultural institutions. In 1913, the mystery was solved when Peruggia attempted to sell the painting to an art dealer in Florence, claiming patriotic motives for his actions. The dealer alerted the authorities, and the Mona Lisa was recovered and returned to the Louvre. Peruggia was arrested and served a relatively light sentence for his crime.

The painting’s fame only grew after its recovery. People were fascinated not only by its theft and subsequent return but also by the enigmatic qualities of the artwork itself. The Mona Lisa’s subtle smile and lifelike proportions, which were groundbreaking at the time, captivated audiences. Leonardo da Vinci’s mastery of techniques like sfumato—a method of blending colors and tones to create soft transitions—gave the painting an almost photographic realism. Some even speculated that the Mona Lisa might be a self-portrait of da Vinci, citing perceived similarities between the painting and his own features. However, this theory remains unproven, and most art historians agree that Lisa Gherardini is the true subject.

Adding to the intrigue, another painting surfaced in 1913 alongside the recovery of the Mona Lisa. This second artwork, known as the Isleworth Mona Lisa, depicted a younger version of the same subject but was painted on canvas rather than wood. Its authenticity has been hotly debated, with some experts suggesting it was a copy made by one of da Vinci’s students. X-ray analysis revealed striking similarities between the brushstrokes and techniques used in both paintings, leading to speculation that da Vinci may have painted multiple versions. However, there is no definitive proof linking the Isleworth Mona Lisa to da Vinci himself.

The Mona Lisa’s enduring appeal has been bolstered by its prominent display at the Louvre, attracting millions of visitors annually. In 2023 alone, nearly 9 million people visited the museum, with 90% of them citing the Mona Lisa as their primary reason for attending. The painting is now housed in a standalone gallery protected by six inches of bulletproof glass, a measure taken to safeguard it from potential vandalism or theft. This level of protection underscores the cultural and historical significance of the artwork.

Despite its global fame, the Mona Lisa’s story is not without controversy. Rumors persist that the painting currently on display may not be the original, with some suggesting that the real Mona Lisa could be hidden in private collections or forgotten attics. One such theory posits that a version of the painting may even reside in York County, Pennsylvania, brought over by European collectors in the early 20th century. While these claims remain unverified, they contribute to the mystique surrounding the Mona Lisa.

The Mona Lisa’s fame is not merely a result of its artistic merit but also the dramatic events and mysteries that have surrounded it over the centuries. From its creation by one of history’s greatest geniuses to its theft and recovery, the painting’s journey is a testament to the power of art to captivate and inspire. Today, it remains a symbol of artistic excellence and cultural heritage, drawing millions to Paris to gaze upon its enigmatic smile.

Polybius – The Mind-Control Arcade Game Urban Legend

The urban legend of Polybius, a mysterious arcade game said to have existed in the early 1980s, is one of the most enduring tales in gaming folklore. According to the story, the game appeared in several suburbs of Portland, Oregon, in 1981. It was housed in plain black arcade cabinets, with no external branding or logos, and reportedly captivated players to a disturbing degree. The supposed effects of the game, along with its sudden disappearance and ties to government conspiracy theories, have made Polybius a fascinating, albeit unverifiable, topic of discussion.

The gameplay of Polybius is described in vague and conflicting terms. Some accounts liken it to “Tempest,” a popular arcade game of the time, with fast-moving visuals and a perspective that seemed to pull players into the screen. Others claim it involved letters and numbers floating across the screen in a disjointed and hypnotic fashion. Regardless of the specifics, those who claim to have seen or played the game report it caused severe side effects, including seizures, headaches, amnesia, night terrors, and hallucinations. It allegedly had an addictive quality, with players lining up to experience it despite these adverse effects.

Adding to the intrigue, urban legend states that mysterious “Men in Black” would periodically visit the arcade machines to collect data and analyze the game’s supposed psychoactive effects on players. These shadowy figures were said to inspect the cabinets, logging information that fueled speculation about the game’s purpose. After about a month, the machines reportedly vanished as abruptly as they had appeared, never to be seen again.

The story also introduces a company supposedly behind Polybius: Sinneslöschen, which translates roughly from German to “sensory deletion” or “sensory deprivation.” The ominous name, combined with the secretive nature of the alleged game, has led many to speculate that Polybius was part of a government experiment, perhaps tied to mind control programs like MKUltra. MKUltra was a real CIA initiative that ran from the 1950s to the 1970s, aiming to develop mind control techniques using drugs, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, and other methods. Although MKUltra was officially declassified in 1975, some believe its methods continued in covert ways, potentially through experiments like Polybius.

While the legend remains unproven, it appears to be a patchwork of real events and imaginative embellishments. For instance, in 1981, two incidents in Portland arcades were documented: one player collapsed with a severe migraine after playing “Tempest,” and another experienced stomach pain after a 28-hour marathon of “Asteroids.” Both cases could easily be explained by pre-existing conditions or overexertion but may have contributed to the myth’s origins.

Compounding the mystery, the FBI conducted raids on several Portland arcades around the same time, investigating the use of arcade machines for illegal gambling. Arcade owners allegedly modified games to pay out money (or at least using points as a proxy for dollars), prompting federal action. These raids may have inspired the legend of “Men in Black” visiting the machines, as witnesses saw government agents inspecting arcade cabinets. The combination of these real events likely gave rise to the more fantastical elements of the Polybius story.

Despite extensive research, no tangible evidence of Polybius has ever been found. No cabinets, ROM files, or credible photographs of the game exist. However, the myth has been perpetuated by references in pop culture. The Simpsons featured a Polybius cabinet in the background of an episode, complete with the name prominently displayed. Nine Inch Nails included a Polybius machine in the music video for their song “Less Than,” and the game was referenced in shows like “Loki” and by internet personalities such as the Angry Video Game Nerd. These appearances have cemented Polybius as a cultural phenomenon, even if it never actually existed.

One significant development in the story’s investigation came from a BBC documentary that traced the origins of the legend to Kevin Manis, a writer and actor from Oregon. Manis is known for creating other urban legends, including the infamous “Dybbuk Box,” which inspired the 2012 horror movie “The Possession.” When confronted about his potential involvement in creating the Polybius myth, Manis neither confirmed nor denied his role, cryptically stating that it was the kind of story he would have made. This admission, while inconclusive, has led many to believe that Polybius was an early example of an internet-era hoax.

While it is now widely regarded as an urban legend, Polybius continues to captivate the imagination of gamers and conspiracy enthusiasts alike. The idea of a government experiment disguised as an arcade game taps into deep-seated fears of surveillance and manipulation. Even though no evidence has surfaced to confirm the existence of Polybius, the story endures as a fascinating piece of modern mythology, blending elements of truth with the allure of the unknown. Its legacy is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring appeal of a good mystery.