Participants can view fine art and fine crafts and interact directly with the jury-selected artists. Since it was shipped in a wooden container, the painting is assumed to be destroyed. In the interim, some art experts feel she should be restored by having layers of resin, lacquer, and varnish that were applied over the past 495 years removed. Museum officials say the solvents required for removal could irreparably damage the painting. Mona Lisa will retain her yellow cast.
Membership is open to all.
A bronze statue of the model will be cast and donated to Italy, where it will be unveiled in Milan in September, 1999. Brooklyn Museum of Art has extended closing time to 11 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. The expanded evening hours on this day will feature gallery tours with artists, film and live performances, and dancing to live music. On all other Saturdays the museum closes at 6p.m.