The Mona Lisa, renowned for her enigmatic smile, may also be remembered for her high body mass index (BMI). According to Dr Michael Yafi, a paediatric endocrinologist at the University of Texas, Houston, the portrait was created in an era when beautiful women and models were typically depicted with higher BMI. However, the exponential rise of weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro is now reshaping perceptions of attractiveness, potentially giving rise to a new aesthetic known as 'GLP-1 face.'
Changing Ideals of Beauty
Contemporary art often reflects trends in aesthetics, body image, and health. While some artists continue to celebrate fuller figures, researchers believe that the widespread use of GLP-1 medications is altering our collective notion of beauty. Future artworks may increasingly portray thin individuals with gaunt faces, a result of rapid weight loss. Prof Rosalind Gill, a fellow at the British Academy and professor at Goldsmiths, notes that 'GLP-1 face' is often viewed negatively, but humans can find beauty in diverse features. She draws parallels to the 'heroin chic' of the 1990s and the reinterpretation of iconic images of people with Aids as beauty ideals. With consumer culture constantly seeking new looks, a variant of GLP-1 could become a cultural ideal reflected in art.
Historical Context
Dr Yafi presented his research at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, highlighting how weight-loss drugs will influence artistic portrayals. He stated, 'I think that as more people use these drugs, GLP-1 face will be depicted in art.' He added that rapid fat loss in the cheeks, temples, and under-eye areas can create an aged or tired appearance, which artists like Picasso might have captured. Historically, overweight and obese individuals were positively represented in art, from plump cherubim in Renaissance works to paintings by Rubens and Renoir. Corpulence signified wealth, status, and wellbeing. 'Strong men, leaders, royal families, religious people, high people in the society were portrayed with high BMI,' Yafi said. 'Beautiful women and models were also portrayed with high BMI.'
Shift in Perception
It was only in the second half of the 20th century, after scientists discovered the links between saturated fats, trans-fats, and metabolic disorders, that body image in art began to change. 'This led to images of thin, often unrealistically thin, men and women being glorified and obesity being stigmatised,' Yafi explained. 'Suddenly, thin people became beautiful and the women who inspired artists for centuries were no longer considered attractive.' He speculated that Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa might have been unhealthy, with issues related to BMI, cholesterol, and severe hypothyroidism, though he acknowledged that such diagnoses are speculative.
Expert Caution
Art historian Bendor Grosvenor urged caution, saying, 'Poor Mona Lisa, she's always being diagnosed with something she almost certainly never had. If a doctor today diagnosed someone only on the basis of how their face looked, we wouldn't take them seriously. Art is art, and a portrait – even one by Leonardo – is usually about so much more than likeness, let alone health.' He emphasised that this principle applies to both past and future art.
Understanding these shifting beauty standards can help medics provide better care. Yafi noted, 'If physicians see that obesity was for centuries viewed as a positive thing, it will help them be non-judgmental and more empathic.' This holistic approach may lead to more successful patient outcomes.
