2. The Mona Lisa has her own mailbox in the Louvre because of

(all the love letters she receives

Over the years many have fallen prey to the portrait’s ‘limpid and burning eyes’, leaving her offerings of flowers, poems and, yes, love notes. Artist Luc Maspero allegedly took this fervour to a new high – and then low – in 1852, diving off a hotel balcony because “For years I have grappled desperately with her smile. I prefer to die.” Who knew art appreciation could be so dark?

 Eyes detail of ‘Mona Lisa’, via Wikimedia Commons