Story by Jacquelyn Rose Minot
Artist RB McGrath places "Mona Lisa, after Leonardo" on the sale block at $1.5 million. Arkansas' best known artist created a faithful replication of Leonardo's most famous work, using the same materials and dimensions used in the original Mona Lisa which hangs in the Louvre in Paris. McGrath's Mona Lisa is 21 x 30 inches and is painted on a solid wood support and framed with a drop dead gorgeous 3.5 inch Italian Pilazzo styled museum quality frame. The work is currently on view at the RB McGrath Atlelier et Gallerie in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Several visitors to the atelier have witnessed McGrath's Mona Lisa and claim that they had goose bumps, as they felt like they were standing in front of the real Mona Lisa in Paris. One lady stated: "I've seen the real Mona Lisa. RB McGrath's Mona Lisa is even better than the original. It was so mesmerizing I could feel the hair stand up on my arms." "It's breathtaking." Said another visitor to the atelier. McGrath's Mona Lisa is on exhibit along with many more beautiful works by the artist. The gallery is open at 10:00 am daily. Latest word is that a collector in North Carolina has expressed an interest in buying the million dollar work. More to come.
Some of the country’s bigger cities have areas called china-town, and if a Jacksonville businesswoman has her way, the city will have its own Asian town. 