Lena Rivera
The Mona Lisa, created by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the world's most famous paintings. Painted between 1503 and 1519, the Mona Lisa is believed to have been worked on by Leonardo for 14 to 16 years, with multiple layers of thin oil glazes added at different times. This iconic painting has been described as the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, and the most parodied work of art in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Year started | 1503 |
| Year completed | 1519 |
| Time taken | 16 years |
| Medium | Oil on a white poplar panel |
| Dimensions | 77 x 53 cm |
| Current location | Louvre Museum, Paris |
| Subject | Unknown; possibly Lisa del Giocondo, or Caterina (Leonardo's mother) |
| Number of versions | 1 original; at least 5 copies referred to as the Mona Lisa by Vasari |
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What You'll Learn
The Mona Lisa was likely worked on for 14-16 years
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the most famous artworks in the world. It is believed that Leonardo began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503, and it remained in his possession until his death in 1519. The painting was likely worked on for 14–16 years, with Leonardo adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times.
The painting is a half-length portrait of a woman with a mysterious expression, believed to be Italian noblewoman Lisa del Giocondo. The woman's identity has been the subject of much speculation, with some suggesting that she may have been Leonardo's mother, Caterina. The painting's novel qualities include the subject's enigmatic expression, the subtle modelling of forms, and the atmospheric illusionism.
Leonardo likely worked on the Mona Lisa intermittently, adding new layers and making changes over time. This is supported by the presence of small cracks in the paint, called craquelure, which are finer on the hands, indicating the use of thinner glazes in Leonardo's late period. The painting was never delivered to the Giocondo family, and it is believed that Leonardo carried it with him on his travels, taking it from Florence to Milan, Rome, and finally to France.
The Mona Lisa has had a significant influence on art and culture, even before its completion. It inspired other artists such as Raphael, who incorporated elements of its composition and format into his own works. The painting's fame and allure have made it a popular destination for visitors to the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it is currently on display.
The Mona Lisa is not only a masterpiece of art but also a testament to Leonardo da Vinci's genius, bridging the world of art and science and offering a glimpse into the mind of a Renaissance master. The painting's enduring appeal continues to fascinate and inspire people from all walks of life.
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Leonardo carried the painting with him on his travels
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is an Italian Renaissance masterpiece. It is believed that Leonardo started painting the Mona Lisa in 1503 and continued working on it until 1517 or even as late as 1519, the year of his death. During this time, Leonardo carried the painting with him on his travels.
The painting is believed to be a portrait of Italian noblewoman Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo. The painting was never given to the Giocondo family and instead remained in Leonardo's possession until his death.
Leonardo carried the Mona Lisa with him for 14 years, transporting it on the backs of mules as he travelled. His journey began in Florence, the city where the painting was started, and then continued to Milan, Rome, and finally over the Alps to France, where he spent the last years of his life.
During his travels, Leonardo never relinquished ownership of the painting. It is believed that he continued to work on the painting during this time, adding layers of translucent paint to create movement, emotion, and intricate detail. This is supported by evidence that the painting was reworked several times, with changes made to the size of the face and the direction of the gaze.
The Mona Lisa has been described as a revolutionary work, deviating from traditional Italian portraiture in its pose, gaze, and background depiction. It has inspired and influenced numerous artists and continues to captivate audiences today, making it one of the most famous and recognisable paintings in the world.
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The subject of the painting is disputed
The identity of the woman in Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa remains a mystery to this day. While the painting has traditionally been associated with Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florentine silk merchant Francesco del Giocondo, art historians and scholars have developed several alternative views.
The traditional identification of the subject as Lisa del Giocondo was first suggested in 1550 by artist biographer Giorgio Vasari, who wrote that "Leonardo undertook to paint, for Francesco del Giocondo, the portrait of Mona Lisa, his wife." The Italian name for the painting, "La Gioconda", is a pun on the feminine form of Lisa's married name, "Giocondo". However, scholars have argued that Lisa del Giocondo was the subject of a different portrait and identified at least four other paintings referred to by Vasari as the Mona Lisa.
One of the most compelling alternative theories suggests that the real Mona Lisa was Isabella of Aragon. This theory is supported by stylistic analyses, historical connections, and reinterpretations of Leonardo's intent as an artist. In his biography of Leonardo, author Robert Payne points to preliminary studies by the artist that bear a striking resemblance to Isabella around the age of 20. Payne suggests that Leonardo captured Isabella at different stages of her life, including during widowhood, as depicted in the Mona Lisa. This theory is further supported by x-ray studies revealing an initial sketch of a woman hidden beneath Leonardo's painting, which some believe to be Isabella of Aragon due to its similarity with a cartoon Leonardo made of the princess.
Other women who have been proposed as the subject of the painting include Cecilia Gallerani, Costanza d'Avalos, Duchess of Francavilla, Pacifica Brandano/Brandino, Isabella Gualanda, Caterina Sforza, Bianca Giovanna Sforza, Salaì, and even Leonardo himself. Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud theorized that Leonardo imparted an approving smile from his mother, Caterina, onto the Mona Lisa and other works. The Mona Lisa also bears a strong resemblance to Renaissance depictions of the Virgin Mary, who was seen as an ideal for womanhood at the time.
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The painting was stolen in 1911
On 21 August 1911, Leonardo da Vinci's immortal painting, the "Mona Lisa", was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The painting was taken by a man named Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian immigrant who had once worked at the Louvre as a glazier and handyman. Peruggia had briefly worked on the Mona Lisa's box frame construction and would have known how to open it in minutes. On the evening of the theft, a small, mustachioed man—later identified as Peruggia—entered the Louvre and made his way to the Salon Carré, where the painting was housed alongside other masterpieces. Security was lax, so Peruggia found it easy to hide inside a storage closet until the following morning when the museum was closed and foot traffic was light.
The next morning, Peruggia emerged from the closet, clad in a white apron—the same garment worn by museum employees. After checking to see if the coast was clear, he strode up to the painting, plucked it off the wall, and carried it to a nearby service stairwell. The Louvre staff had no clue that the painting had been stolen, as works of art were often removed from the walls for cleaning or photography. Finally, at around noon the next day, a visiting artist asked a security guard to track the painting down. When the guard couldn't locate it, the museum called the police and began a frantic search. It was only then that the Mona Lisa's glass frame was discovered in the service stairwell. That evening, a museum official announced the theft to the world, stating, "The Mona Lisa is gone. Thus far, we haven't a clue as to who might have committed this crime."
The theft of the "Mona Lisa" sparked a media circus and a public outcry in France. An army of detectives descended on the Louvre to dust for fingerprints and question witnesses. Cars, steamer passengers, and pedestrians were searched at checkpoints, and "wanted posters" of the painting's enigmatic half-smile were circulated. High-profile suspects included the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, the painter Pablo Picasso, and the German artist Gerhard Richter. Apollinaire was arrested after being linked to the earlier theft of two ancient statuettes from the Louvre. During his interrogation, he implicated Picasso, who was also questioned. Despite the extensive investigation, the police turned up few promising leads.
For two years, Peruggia kept the "Mona Lisa" hidden in his apartment in a wooden trunk with a false bottom. He later claimed that he had fallen in love with the painting and had feasted his eyes on his treasure every evening. In December 1913, Peruggia finally attempted to sell the painting to an art dealer in Florence. The dealer was suspicious and called in an expert to authenticate the work. A stamp on the back confirmed its authenticity, and Peruggia was arrested soon after. The "Mona Lisa" was returned to the Louvre in 1913, where it remains today. The painting's theft and the subsequent media coverage helped it become one of the best-known works of art in the world, gaining considerable public interest.
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The painting is now worth over $870 million
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the most valuable paintings in the world. While it is challenging to put a price on the artwork, it is estimated to be worth over $870 million. This valuation is based on a range of factors, including its cultural significance, historical value, artistic techniques, and influence on the art world.
Firstly, the Mona Lisa's cultural significance is immense. It is considered an archetypal masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance and has become an icon of that artistic era. The painting's novel qualities, such as the enigmatic expression of the subject, the monumentality of the composition, the subtle modelling of forms, and the atmospheric illusionism, have captivated audiences for centuries. The mysterious smile of the subject, believed to be Lisa del Giocondo, has been a source of ongoing fascination and inspiration for writers, singers, and painters.
Secondly, the historical value of the Mona Lisa contributes to its worth. Painted between 1503 and 1519, it is associated with the wealthy merchants of Renaissance Florence, who could afford to commission portraits. The painting has a notable art historical influence, with elements of its composition and format being adopted by other artists, such as Raphael, in their subsequent works.
Additionally, the artistic techniques employed by Leonardo da Vinci elevate the value of the Mona Lisa. The painting is a half-length portrait executed in oil on a poplar panel. Leonardo's use of sfumato, a smokey haziness, softens outlines and creates a distinctive atmospheric effect. Furthermore, the painting exhibits Leonardo's meticulous attention to detail and his layering of thin oil glazes, resulting in small cracks in the paint, known as craquelure.
Lastly, the influence of the Mona Lisa on the art world cannot be overstated. It holds the Guinness World Record for the highest-known painting insurance valuation in history, standing at US$100 million in 1962, which is equivalent to $1 billion as of 2023. The painting attracts visitors from around the world, with people paying approximately $111 million USD annually to view it at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Its reputation and iconic status have made it a significant source of revenue for the museum, solidifying its worth.
In summary, the Mona Lisa's worth of over $870 million is derived from its cultural, historical, artistic, and influential significance. Its impact on the art world and its enduring fascination for audiences worldwide have contributed to its extraordinary value.
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Frequently asked questions
Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa once, but he carried out alterations to the painting over a number of years.
Leonardo began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503 and continued working on it until at least 1517. It was in his studio when he died in 1519.
The Mona Lisa is in the Louvre Museum in Paris. It has been there since the turn of the 19th century.
The identity of the subject of the Mona Lisa is unknown. It has been speculated that it is a portrait of Lisa del Giocondo, but other theories include Isabella of Aragon, Cecilia Gallerani, Costanza d'Avalos, Duchess of Francavilla, and Leonardo's mother, Caterina.
