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Vasari's book is discussed extensively as the source of the name 'Mona Lisa' and the earliest biographical account of Leonardo painting the portrait, including the anecdote about entertainers keeping Lisa smiling during sittings.

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Described as 'the definitive history of the Mona Lisa,' Tom says he drew a lot on Sassoon's book for the episode. Sassoon declared himself agnostic about who the painting portrays but noted new evidence could emerge, which it did four years later.

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Described as 'a brilliant book published way back in 1933' that covers how 19th century male artists and writers became obsessed with a vision of female beauty 'tainted with pain, corruption, and death,' culminating in the smile of the Gioconda.

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Discussed as a popular work that proposes the Mona Lisa embodies the sacred feminine, with protagonist Robert Langdon suggesting the name is an anagram of the Egyptian god Amun and goddess Isis. The hosts note the painting features on the film poster despite not being central to the plot.