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Mona Lisa in Camelot: How Jacqueline Kennedy and Da Vinci's Masterpiece Charmed and Captivated a Nation
In December 1962, Da Vinci's Mona Lisa set sail from Paris to New York for what was arguably the riskiest art exhibition ever mounted. The fragile icon traveled like a head of state, with armed guards and military surveillance, in a temperature-controlled vault. Masterminding the entire show was First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who tirelessly campaigned to persuade National Gallery Director John Walker, French President Charles de Gaulle, and her own husband to debut the legendary smile here. For 88 charmed days, “Lisa Fever” swept the nation as nearly two million Americans attended exhibits in Washington, D.C. and New York. It was the greatest outpouring of appreciation for a single work of art in American history. And as only Jacqueline Kennedy could do, she infused America's first museum blockbuster show with a unique sense of pageantry, igniting a national love affair with the arts. Gathering rare archival documents and interviews, acclaimed biographer Margaret Leslie Davis has woven a tantalizing saga, filled with international intrigue and the irresistible charm of Camelot and its queen.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
33 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Leslie Davis
13 books13 followersMargaret Leslie Davis is a graduate of Georgetown University and earned her master's in professional writing at the University of Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 1, 2012
50 years ago this Christmas, the Mona Lisa left the Louvre for the United States. "La Joconde," being the most famous and most valuable piece of art on the planet, doesn't travel much and, it seems, those in the know thought it would be unwise for her to make this trip. But Jacqueline Kennedy wanted Americans -- ones who may never have an opportunity to fly to Paris -- to have a chance to see the Mona Lisa, and so the exhibition happened.
We live in a country where some politicians seem almost aggressively non-intellectual. Where to call something "French" is an insult. It was lovely to travel back in time to where our elected officials inspired us to aspire, to love our own history (as with the restoration of The Kennedy White House) and to appreciate what's beautiful about foreign lands.
It was also great fun to learn about all the preparations that went into getting the Mona Lisa here. Mme Hours of the Louvre and Mr. Walker of the National Gallery both thought the portrait was too fragile for the trip and were both burdened by their governments with keeping it safe. I also enjoyed discovering Ed Folliard. The hardnosed White House journalist got the assignment to travel over with the painting and the imaginative, romantic reports he filed about his "relationship" with Lisa were unexpectedly adorable.
We live in a country where some politicians seem almost aggressively non-intellectual. Where to call something "French" is an insult. It was lovely to travel back in time to where our elected officials inspired us to aspire, to love our own history (as with the restoration of The Kennedy White House) and to appreciate what's beautiful about foreign lands.
It was also great fun to learn about all the preparations that went into getting the Mona Lisa here. Mme Hours of the Louvre and Mr. Walker of the National Gallery both thought the portrait was too fragile for the trip and were both burdened by their governments with keeping it safe. I also enjoyed discovering Ed Folliard. The hardnosed White House journalist got the assignment to travel over with the painting and the imaginative, romantic reports he filed about his "relationship" with Lisa were unexpectedly adorable.
September 2, 2025
For a one-time read this book was very interesting and gives you a feel for the political climate at the time. I guess you can't tell a story like this without including all that was going on at the time but it kind of put a damper on the telling of Jackie's dreams and visions of enlightening the world. It is an amazing story and I enjoyed the knowledge gained from this event that I was never aware of. It was a good read but I don't feel like it wants a place on my shelves in the long haul.
February 20, 2021
Mona Lisa + Jackie = ✨ 💘
December 28, 2009
“To me a wonderful book is one that takes me on a journey into something I didn’t know before.” Quote by Jacqueline Kennedy
As an avid admirer of Jacky Kennedy, I really appreciated this book. It is a deeper look at the life of a very young woman who happened to be the President of the U. S.'s wife. I knew she spoke fluent French and was a francophile, what I didn't know was how she used that to the betterment of the world standing of the U.S. She was so young to be as insightful as she was at that time.
It would have made this book better to have a visual dictionary of all of the art pieces mentioned so that I, the reader, could look upon the objects that Jacky look upon and which impacted the exchange. It would also have been interesting to have a glossary perhaps explaining certain people and locations. (I have compiled a "study guide" if anyone is interested."
Other than those suggestions I loved everything about this quick and easy read.
As an avid admirer of Jacky Kennedy, I really appreciated this book. It is a deeper look at the life of a very young woman who happened to be the President of the U. S.'s wife. I knew she spoke fluent French and was a francophile, what I didn't know was how she used that to the betterment of the world standing of the U.S. She was so young to be as insightful as she was at that time.
It would have made this book better to have a visual dictionary of all of the art pieces mentioned so that I, the reader, could look upon the objects that Jacky look upon and which impacted the exchange. It would also have been interesting to have a glossary perhaps explaining certain people and locations. (I have compiled a "study guide" if anyone is interested."
Other than those suggestions I loved everything about this quick and easy read.
November 27, 2008
Mona Lisa in Camelot, how Jacqueline Kennedy and Da Vinci’s Masterpiece Charmed and Captivated a Nation was such a lovely read. I felt such a sense of ceremony and culture, as though I was having tea with the First Lady herself.
Margaret Leslie Davis has very skilfully woven the details of the Mona Lisa exhibition into a vivid and rich account of the First Lady, her life and interactions preceding, during and following the display of the priceless work of art.
The documents included in this marvellous book are very telling and gave me a glimpse of the inner workings of Jacqueline Kennedy’s brilliant mind.
If you appreciate art and have any interest in the Kennedy’s, this book is...
**Please follow the link to read the whole review:
http://bookreviewsbybobbie.wordpress....
Margaret Leslie Davis has very skilfully woven the details of the Mona Lisa exhibition into a vivid and rich account of the First Lady, her life and interactions preceding, during and following the display of the priceless work of art.
The documents included in this marvellous book are very telling and gave me a glimpse of the inner workings of Jacqueline Kennedy’s brilliant mind.
If you appreciate art and have any interest in the Kennedy’s, this book is...
**Please follow the link to read the whole review:
http://bookreviewsbybobbie.wordpress....
July 26, 2015
I was so lucky to find this book in a Used-Book store. JBK-Onassis...art history...Mona Lisa...pretty pink cover -- It was waiting for me on that shelf. And then a bonus, the Author had signed it.
I read it slowly to understand each chapter. M.Davis writing style is descriptive, including JBKs couture. It was easy to visualize each event. When the Mona Lisa arrived at the National Gallery of Art, I felt as if I was waiting in the lines, in the snow, around the building.
I have a list of friends waiting to read this, and I hope my book is returned worn, read, and enjoyed.
bcp 7/15
I read it slowly to understand each chapter. M.Davis writing style is descriptive, including JBKs couture. It was easy to visualize each event. When the Mona Lisa arrived at the National Gallery of Art, I felt as if I was waiting in the lines, in the snow, around the building.
I have a list of friends waiting to read this, and I hope my book is returned worn, read, and enjoyed.
bcp 7/15
September 29, 2024
Found this book randomly bc I bought it for $2 at the Worthington Library Book sale, but after seeing the Mona Lisa this summer it intrigued me. Overall, a nice read that showed me a bit of history of the most famous painting & the last year of the Kennedy family in the White House before JFK’s assassination. I thought the author did a good job highlighting how Jackie & JFK cared about art and its importance to a society’s culture. In today’s world, I think their family’s wealth might feel a little bit flamboyant and exclusionary but it definitely seemed more like class and culture then.
I probably wouldn’t recco this book to others because it’s a little bit long & niche but definitely an interesting point in American history to read about.
I probably wouldn’t recco this book to others because it’s a little bit long & niche but definitely an interesting point in American history to read about.
September 20, 2025
Although I was a teenager when the events in this book happened, and although I remember vividly the Cuban Missile Crisis and JFK’s assassination, I have no recollection of the loan to America of Leonardo’s “Mona Lisa.” So much diplomatic gamesmanship! So much ruffling of feathers! So much intercession by First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy whose intelligence and charm always prevailed. Nearly two million people saw this masterpiece at the National Gallery in Washington D.C. and the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. Can you even imagine this happening today, given the current public attitude toward quality education?
December 1, 2008
An interesting little bit of history, but it didn't draw me in and it didn't do much to enlighten me on the larger themes of history.
November 16, 2014
What a wonderful read. If you love Jackie Kennedy then you will love this book. Her dedication to the minds of Americans in unparalleled and she will forever reign as America's queen
April 15, 2018
An curious peek into a world of people , places and notions where a learned plebian , like myself , would definitely not fit in . However it proved interesting to read about which inter-subjective
devices Mrs. Kennedy chose to make " Mona Mania " happen in America without offending anyone.
1962 is chronologically a time , before the Civil Rights Act , when most European fine art portraits were considered racial slurs or some visual thing marginalizing Afro-American self worth .
It is also a time before feminism when many European fine art portraits were considered unacceptable gender stereotypes . And lastly 1962 is before Jean Kirkpatrick and Margaret Thatcher shattered the glass doors of the male dominated domain of foreign relations . So to read 231 pages of one woman's contribution to cross cultural unity using only fine art and diplomacy while avoiding the above political quaqmires was a good read for me . A Mona Lisa fan . I only wish the former first lady had chose to borrow the Bayeux Tapestry instead . Superb rhetoric ! And a read again .
devices Mrs. Kennedy chose to make " Mona Mania " happen in America without offending anyone.
1962 is chronologically a time , before the Civil Rights Act , when most European fine art portraits were considered racial slurs or some visual thing marginalizing Afro-American self worth .
It is also a time before feminism when many European fine art portraits were considered unacceptable gender stereotypes . And lastly 1962 is before Jean Kirkpatrick and Margaret Thatcher shattered the glass doors of the male dominated domain of foreign relations . So to read 231 pages of one woman's contribution to cross cultural unity using only fine art and diplomacy while avoiding the above political quaqmires was a good read for me . A Mona Lisa fan . I only wish the former first lady had chose to borrow the Bayeux Tapestry instead . Superb rhetoric ! And a read again .
Read
March 29, 2024A well-written story about a moment in US history that appeared outside politics and the military, and instead focused on culture -- art and philosophy and conversation, deemed to be the soul of a nation.
And the US stepped up, led by Jacqueline Kennedy and "the man who accompanied Jackie Kennedy to Paris." Her friendships, her social engagement, her own knowledge of history and art led to the Mona Lisa (the first lady of France?) to the National Gallery to meet our own first lady.
Ms. Davis discusses how the "travelling masterpiece" as well as the historical context, the events of the nation and the world at the time.
And the US stepped up, led by Jacqueline Kennedy and "the man who accompanied Jackie Kennedy to Paris." Her friendships, her social engagement, her own knowledge of history and art led to the Mona Lisa (the first lady of France?) to the National Gallery to meet our own first lady.
Ms. Davis discusses how the "travelling masterpiece" as well as the historical context, the events of the nation and the world at the time.
November 20, 2025
Mona Lisa in Camelot is a surprisingly gripping slice of cultural history, mixing political charm, high-stakes art drama, and Jacqueline Kennedy’s unmistakable influence. Davis captures the spectacle and tension of bringing the world’s most famous painting across the ocean, turning what could’ve been dry history into something lively and cinematic. A bit dense in places, but overall it’s an elegant, fascinating look at a moment when art, diplomacy, and national excitement collided in the best way.
August 24, 2018
Well written and interesting look into how influential Mrs. Kennedy as well as President Kennedy were to infusing the importance of the arts into America’s consciousness, and the manner in which what seems at first glance to be about a painting is in reality about relationships between countries and like-minded people. A wonderful inside look into Camelot and the influence of this presidency cut short.
February 26, 2025
This is a wonderfully entertaining book that draws you in the second you begin reading it.
Anyone who appreciates art and art history should find this little book absolutely fascinating. This is a must read for anyone interested in the Mona Lisa. It is a vital chapter in the life of the world's most famous and extraordinary painting.
Anyone who appreciates art and art history should find this little book absolutely fascinating. This is a must read for anyone interested in the Mona Lisa. It is a vital chapter in the life of the world's most famous and extraordinary painting.
November 4, 2019
This is a fantastic account of not so widely known bit of history about the Mona Lisa's loan to the Kennedy's and all of the politics surrounding its journey. Jacqueline Kennedy steals the show from the Mona Lisa. I really enjoyed reading this.
April 3, 2024
I have been recommending this book to everyone I talk to about it! The writing style is informative and historical, but engaging. So many interesting facts and funny quotes woven into the story. The author held my attention almost from the beginning.
February 5, 2025
As a former museum professional, I appreciated the back story across art history, world history and diplomacy, and individuals that brought the Mona Lisa to the U.S. Jacqueline Kennedy was an elegant negotiator and passionate art enthusiast, and I was inspired by her grace and savvy.
May 11, 2017
Charming and whimsical for a historical account. It made me wistful for Camelot and sad for our current culture.
August 3, 2018
A well-researched story of how Jacqueline Kennedy worked with deGaulle and the French Minister of Culture to the bring the "Mona Lisa" to the United States for a visit. Interesting. Well-done.
March 6, 2019
#unreadshelfproject2019 Amazing book. Loved it from the first page. I learned so much from this book and gained an even greater respect for Jackie Kennedy.
June 8, 2024
Insightful as well as amazing, this book brings you to that special time when the Mona Lisa served to bring so many together in admiration and indeed , understanding.
October 3, 2025
3.5⭐️
January 9, 2017
My second time reading this delightful book. Thoroughly researched with entertaining presentation, although a bit repetitive and jumpy. A great book for so many as it touches on art, foreign relations, philanthropy, etc. Wish I were alive in 1963 to have lived it myself.
October 2, 2016
somewhat interesting.
March 18, 2012
This book turned out to be more interesting than I expected. It chronicles the shipment and arrival of the famous "Mona Lisa" painting from France to America. The exhibition was important to Jacqueline Kennedy (Onassis) and she was the primary facilitator. Many conditions for transport and display were placed upon John Walker, curator of the National Museum in Washington D.C. He later claimed it to be the most unsettling event of his lilfe. One instance was on the night of the unveiling, all microphones went out. Speeches went unheard as the crowd of 'swells' were quite loud.
Clothing worn by Mrs Kennedy and others was described. Including the fact that Lady Bird Johnson didn't read the entire invitation and vice-president Johnson was the only male attired in white tails. A few black and white photos are included...
Clothing worn by Mrs Kennedy and others was described. Including the fact that Lady Bird Johnson didn't read the entire invitation and vice-president Johnson was the only male attired in white tails. A few black and white photos are included...
July 17, 2008
The first lady of the United States and the first lady of the world intersected for one fascinating chapter in our nation’s cultural heritage. Revisit the Kennedy White House and get the scoop on how the Mona Lisa paid her unprecedented 1963 call on the U.S. including the painting’s tightly controlled cross-Atlantic travels, the extreme steps to keep temperature and humidity perfect 24/7, and the personalities and politics involved to pull off this incredible feat. Imagine it: during the exhibit’s first four days at D.C.’s National Gallery, 80,000 people visited Da Vinci’s masterpiece when the musuem’s normal attendance was about 3,000 a week. In today’s world, it’s an unimagined stretch to think it could happen again. But it did once upon a time, and reading about it took me back.
December 8, 2008
Fans of Jackie Kennedy and the Camelot years will enjoy this account of the Mona Lisa’s high profile visit to Washington, D.C. and New York City in 1963. The author lovingly recounts Jackie’s love affair with art and art history, as well as the impact her taste and style had on the White House and Washington, D.C. at large.
There are episodes of diplomatic disaster and success, charming society anecdotes, private correspondence and behind-the-scenes glimpses at the planning and security it took to bring the world’s most famous painting to America.
The whirlwind of black-tie affairs surrounding the accomplishment moves the story along, but expect much of the focus to remain - adoringly - on Jackie.
There are episodes of diplomatic disaster and success, charming society anecdotes, private correspondence and behind-the-scenes glimpses at the planning and security it took to bring the world’s most famous painting to America.
The whirlwind of black-tie affairs surrounding the accomplishment moves the story along, but expect much of the focus to remain - adoringly - on Jackie.
March 13, 2009
What I really liked about this book was the well written story of all the effort put into bringing the painting to the States. I don't believe any of that would be revalent to people now because of all the problems we have. But it was a really big deal and probably couldn't have been done without the efforts of Jackie Kennedy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews