Elena Rossi
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the world's most famous artworks. The painting, created between 1503 and 1519, is known for its enigmatic subject, whose identity has been the subject of much speculation, and its innovative techniques. Da Vinci's use of oil glazes and the sfumato style, which creates a smoky effect, are notable features of the work. The painting's influence and ongoing fascination have made it an iconic symbol of the Renaissance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medium | Oil paint |
| Surface | Poplar wood panel |
| Dimensions | 77 x 53 cm |
| Location | Musée du Louvre, Paris |
| Painter | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Year(s) | 1503–1519 |
| Subject | Lisa Gherardini, wife of Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo |
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What You'll Learn
The identity of the sitter
Lisa Gherardini, also known as La Gioconda, is believed to have been the wife of an Italian silk merchant. In his will, Francesco del Giocondo referred to Lisa as his "beloved wife," indicating a close and affectionate relationship. Lisa's family was aristocratic, but they had lost their influence and were considered well-off but not wealthy. She was 24 years old when Leonardo began her portrait, and it was still unfinished when he died at the age of 40.
However, in recent years, some researchers have put forth the theory that the Mona Lisa may have been based on a male model, specifically Gian Giacomo Caprotti, known as Salai, who was Leonardo's apprentice and possible lover. Silvano Vinceti, an Italian researcher and the head of the National Committee for Cultural Heritage, believes that the Mona Lisa bears striking similarities to Salai, and that Leonardo may have been influenced by both male and female models when creating the painting.
Other theories about the identity of the sitter in the Mona Lisa have also been proposed, including the idea that it could be a self-portrait, a depiction of Leonardo's mother, or a Chinese slave. However, these theories have not gained as much traction as the theories of Lisa Gherardini and Salai.
The mysterious smile and expression of the Mona Lisa have captivated viewers for generations, and the true identity of the subject remains a subject of ongoing investigation and debate among art historians and enthusiasts alike.
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The painting's creation and ownership
Leonardo da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503, and it remained in his possession until his death in 1519. He likely worked on it intermittently, adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times. The painting was created and 'tweaked' over a period of sixteen years, from 1503 to 1519, during which time da Vinci carried it on the backs of mules as he travelled from Florence to Milan, Rome, and finally, France.
The Mona Lisa is painted in oil on a poplar wood panel and measures 77 x 53 cm. It is believed to depict Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini), the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo, although her likeness is uncertain. This identity 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 title "Mona" is a contraction of "Ma donna," a polite form of address similar to "Ma'am" or "Madam" in English. The Italian name for the painting, "La Gioconda," means "happy" or "jovial," a pun on the feminine form of Lisa's married name, "Giocondo."
The painting was acquired by King Francis I of France after da Vinci's death in 1519 and is now the property of the French Republic. It hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it has been since 1804. The painting's global fame and popularity stem partly from its theft by Vincenzo Peruggia in 1911, which generated unprecedented publicity and led to numerous cultural depictions. The Mona Lisa holds the Guinness World Record for the highest known painting insurance valuation in history at US$100 million in 1962, equivalent to $1 billion as of 2023.
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The materials and techniques used
The Mona Lisa is an oil painting on a poplar wood panel. Leonardo da Vinci likely worked on the painting intermittently over several years, adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times. This technique, called sfumato, creates a smokey haziness that softens outlines and generates an atmospheric effect around the figure. Small cracks in the paint, called craquelure, appear throughout the whole piece, but they are finer on the hands, where the thinner glazes correspond to Leonardo's late period.
The painting has warped over the years, causing a crack to appear. To prevent further damage, the Mona Lisa is now kept in a temperature- and humidity-controlled glass case.
The subject of the painting is shown in a three-quarter view, with the shoulders turned towards the viewer, and the hands included in the image. This broke from the standard profile pose used in Italian art at the time. The horizon line is on a level with the eyes, linking the figure with the landscape and emphasizing the mysterious nature of the painting.
The painting's novel qualities include the subject's enigmatic expression, the monumentality of the composition, the subtle modelling of forms, and the atmospheric illusionism.
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The painting's current location and display
The Mona Lisa is currently located in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. It is housed in the Louvre's largest room, the Salle des États, which accommodates the tens of thousands of visitors who come to see it every day. The painting is displayed in the middle of the room, enclosed in a protective glass case. This is due to the need to protect such a famous work and to meet conservation requirements. The Mona Lisa was not painted on canvas but on a panel of poplar wood, which has warped over the years, causing a crack to appear. To prevent further damage, the painting is kept in a temperature- and humidity-controlled glass case.
The Mona Lisa has been exhibited in a protective glass case since 2005. The painting is also displayed behind bulletproof glass and a safety barrier to ensure its protection. The Salle des États was chosen to showcase the Mona Lisa in 1966 due to its size and ability to accommodate the painting's many admirers. The room was built between 1855 and 1857 and was designed by the architect Hector Lefuel.
On rare occasions, the Mona Lisa has been moved within the Louvre. From 1992 to 1995, it was transferred to the Grande Galerie during changes to museum spaces, and from 2001 to 2005, it was displayed in the Salle Rosa during renovations to the Salle des États. In 2019, the painting was temporarily relocated to the Galerie Médicis during another round of renovations to the Salle des États.
The Louvre has displayed the Mona Lisa since the French Revolution. It entered the Louvre's collection when it was purchased by King François I in 1518. The painting has been in the museum's possession since 1797 and is considered the world's most famous artwork.
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The influence and impact of the painting
The influence and impact of the Mona Lisa are far-reaching and multifaceted. Completed between 1503 and 1519, it is considered an archetypal masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance and is often regarded as the most famous painting in the world.
The painting's novel qualities, including the subject's enigmatic expression, the subtle modelling of forms, and the atmospheric illusionism, have inspired writers, singers, and painters for centuries. The mysterious smile of the subject has been a source of fascination and inspiration, with Sigmund Freud speculating that it emerged from Leonardo's memory of his mother's smile.
The Mona Lisa has also had a significant influence on the evolution of portraiture. Leonardo's use of a three-quarter view, with the subject's shoulders turned towards the viewer, broke from the standard profile pose of Italian art and quickly became the new convention. Northern Renaissance influences were combined with Italian techniques, creating a sense of three-dimensionality and atmospheric effects.
The painting's global fame and popularity were boosted by its theft in 1911 by Vincenzo Peruggia, who attributed his actions to Italian patriotism. The theft and recovery in 1914 generated unprecedented publicity, leading to numerous cultural depictions in opera, film, and music. The painting holds the Guinness World Record for the highest-known painting insurance valuation, reaching a value of $1 billion as of 2023.
The Mona Lisa has become an enduring symbol of the Renaissance and has influenced all realms of culture. Its impact on the art world is undeniable, with artists like Warhol and Damien Hirst recognising the interplay between critical acclaim and publicity. The painting continues to attract visitors to the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it is housed, and its influence can be seen in the works of contemporary artists who emulate its enigmatic qualities.
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Frequently asked questions
Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa on a panel of poplar wood.
The Mona Lisa is 77 x 53 cm.
The Mona Lisa is located in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
Leonardo da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503 and likely worked on it until his death in 1519.
There has been much debate about the identity of the subject of the Mona Lisa. The most popular theory is that she is Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini), the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo.
