(...not too sure of the exact meaning of that but I do like to say it!) Anyway, I can’t believe so many people think this is not worth it! It was everything I hoped it would be and more. I sneaked off to Paris one weekend in January (as you do) with the sole purpose of crossing this off my list. I went straight to the Louvre; no queue to get in so was already onto a winner! Spent the next couple of hours exploring other sections of the meuseum, building the anticipation so to speak!. When I finally got to it, approaching from behind, I was nearly sick with nerves. I’ve had this woman’s image overlooking my bed for years and I’d heard so many negative things about the actual real life painting that I was afraid I’d be disapointed. But I had nothing to fear. It was like everyone else in the room disappeared and it was just me and her. Is it totally crazy to say that I think we shared a moment? It was like she was looking right at me, with a somewhat knowing yet approving look. Yes, it does sound insane but I left feeling like I’d just won the noble prize for greatness. And I didn’t even paint the thing! Totally woth it!