The Mona Lisa, renowned for her enigmatic smile, may also be remembered for her weight. According to Dr Michael Yafi, a paediatric endocrinologist at the University of Texas, Houston, the portrait reflects a time when beauty was associated with a high body mass index (BMI). However, as weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro gain popularity, experts believe future art will depict a new aesthetic: the 'GLP-1 face'. This look, characterized by gaunt cheeks and a hollowed appearance due to rapid fat loss, may become a cultural ideal, much like the 'heroin chic' of the 1990s.
Changing Beauty Ideals
Prof Rosalind Gill, a fellow at the British Academy and professor at Goldsmiths, notes that while GLP-1 face is often viewed negatively, humans can find beauty in diverse features. She suggests that consumer culture will likely embrace this look, influencing art. Dr Yafi presented his research at the European Congress on Obesity, arguing that as more people use these drugs, artists will depict GLP-1 face. He even speculated that if Picasso were alive today, he would paint it.
Historical Context
Historically, art celebrated fuller figures. From Renaissance cherubs to Rubens' paintings, corpulence signified wealth and status. Dr Yafi explains that beautiful women and models were portrayed with high BMI. It was only in the late 20th century, with discoveries about saturated fats and cardiovascular disease, that thinness became glorified and obesity stigmatized. This shift led to the glorification of unrealistically thin bodies.
The Mona Lisa Debate
Some scientists believe the Mona Lisa may have been unhealthy, possibly suffering from hypothyroidism or high cholesterol. However, art historian Bendor Grosvenor cautions against such diagnoses based solely on a portrait. He emphasizes that art transcends mere likeness and health, and future art will reflect its own time.
As weight-loss drugs reshape society's perception of beauty, experts urge physicians to understand historical attitudes to provide empathetic care. The evolving depiction of beauty in art mirrors broader cultural shifts, and the GLP-1 face may soon become a subject of artistic fascination.
