'Mona Lisa' may have had thyroid issues and been obese, doctor suggests

Leonardo da Vinci's iconic "Mona Lisa" is at the center of a new debate, not in the art world, but in the medical field. Dr. Michael Yafi, who examined the masterpiece at the Louvre Museum in Paris, claims the woman depicted may have experienced significant health problems.

Yafi's research, presented at the European Congress on Obesity, suggests the subject exhibits "excess body fat" and shows clear signs of severe hypothyroidism. He posits that the painting's characteristic yellowish skin tones could indicate high keratin levels, a condition often associated with thyroid issues, and also points to the possibility of high cholesterol.

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For centuries, full bodies represented prosperity, power, and social status.

"The perception of beauty has changed over time," Yafi noted in his study, emphasizing that fuller figures were not considered flaws in past eras. "For centuries, full bodies represented prosperity, power, and social status."

An alternative explanation offered in the research is pregnancy. Yafi suggests that the "Mona Lisa's" fuller appearance might be attributed to weight gain during pregnancy, especially considering she had four children. The research has sparked discussion among art and health experts, with some questioning the validity of medical conclusions drawn from artwork, while others see art history as a potential source of clues for health research.

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A simpler explanation could be that she gained weight during pregnancy. She already had four children at the time.