Marcus Chen
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1503 and 1519, is arguably the world's most famous painting. It is certainly one of the most valuable, insured in 1962 for $100 million, which would be at least $870 million today. The painting's popularity and fame are intriguing, given that it is a small, subdued portrait of an ordinary woman, likely Florentine noblewoman Lisa del Giocondo, though her identity has never been conclusively proven. The subject's mysterious smile, gaze, and enigmatic expression have fascinated people for ages, with artists, writers, and scholars projecting their own interpretations onto the unknown woman.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painter | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Medium | Oil on poplar wood panel |
| Size | 77 x 53 cm (30 x 20 7/8 in) |
| Location | Louvre Museum, Paris, France |
| Year painted | Between 1503 and 1519 |
| Subject | Unknown, possibly Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini), the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo |
| Artistic techniques | Sfumato, aerial perspective, three-quarter view |
| Popular culture references | Le rire by Sapeck (Eugène Bataille), L.H.O.O.Q. by Marcel Duchamp, Self portrait as Mona Lisa by Salvador Dalí |
| Insurance valuation | $100 million in 1962 (at least $870 million today) |
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What You'll Learn
The identity of the subject
Lisa del Giocondo's family was old and aristocratic, but they had lost their influence over time. They were comfortable but not wealthy, and Francesco commissioned Leonardo to paint his wife's portrait to celebrate the birth of their child and the purchase of a new home. The painting is strikingly large, which may have been a sign of Francesco and Lisa's social aspirations.
Other theories about the identity of the subject have been proposed, including that it is a portrait of Leonardo's mother, Caterina, an idea put forward by Sigmund Freud, who believed that Leonardo unconsciously imparted his mother's smile onto the Mona Lisa. Other proposed subjects include Isabella of Aragon, Duchess of Milan, Isabella Gualanda, Caterina Sforza, and even Leonardo himself.
The fact that the identity of the subject remains unproven has contributed to the fascination surrounding the painting.
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The meaning of her expression
The expression on the face of the woman in the Mona Lisa has been described as mysterious, enigmatic, and alluring. It is her famous smile that has captivated and baffled viewers for centuries, and it is this sense of mystery that has contributed to the painting's enduring popularity.
The subject's softly sculpted face showcases Leonardo da Vinci's masterful use of sfumato, a technique that employs fine shading to create imperceptible transitions between light and dark. This gives the painting a smoky haziness and an atmospheric effect. The subtle smile of the subject is a key element of this technique, as it is the soft shading of her face that lends her expression its enigmatic quality.
The identity of the woman in the painting is unknown, and this has only added to the allure of her expression. Art historians and scholars have offered various interpretations, with the most popular theory being that she is Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini), the wife of a Florentine merchant. The painting's alternative title, "La Gioconda", lends some credence to this theory, as gioconda in Italian means "happy" or "jovial", reflecting the sitter's expression.
The mysterious smile of the Mona Lisa has been interpreted in various ways over the centuries. During the Romantic era of the 19th century, the simple Florentine housewife that some believed her to be was transformed into a mysterious seductress. French writer Théophile Gautier described her as having a "gaze promising unknown pleasures", while English author Walter Pater went so far as to call her a vampire.
The expression on the Mona Lisa's face has also been the subject of artistic interpretation and parody. In 1919, Marcel Duchamp created a Mona Lisa parody by adding a moustache and beard to a reproduction, along with the acronym L.H.O.O.Q., which when read aloud in French, sounds like "she has a hot ass". This defacement brought new attention to the painting and started a trend of artists playing with reproductions, further cementing the painting's iconic status.
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The painting's popularity
The Mona Lisa is considered by many to be the world's most famous painting and most recognisable artwork. It draws thousands of spectators each day and over 80% of visitors to the Louvre come specifically to see it. The painting has been described as a "living enigma", and its popularity is a conundrum.
The painting's fame was further boosted in 1919 when influential modern artist Marcel Duchamp created a parody of the Mona Lisa by adorning a cheap reproduction with a moustache and goatee. This playful act of irreverence brought attention back to the original artwork and started a trend of distortions and manipulations that only added to its fame.
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Leonardo da Vinci's techniques
One of da Vinci's notable techniques in the Mona Lisa is his use of sfumato, which translates to "vanished or evaporated." This technique involves employing fine shading to create imperceptible transitions between light and dark, giving the painting a smoky haziness that softens outlines and creates an atmospheric effect. The sfumato technique is evident in the soft, sculptural quality of the subject's face and the delicate rendering of her veil, hair, and clothing.
Da Vinci also utilised aerial perspective in the painting, where the background fades into the distance, blurring the outlines and contributing to the overall feeling of calm. This deviation from traditional Italian portraiture, which typically depicted the background in sharp focus, enhances the sense of depth and mystery in the composition.
The three-quarter view of the subject is another significant departure from the standard profile pose used in Italian art at the time. By turning the sitter's shoulders and face mostly towards the viewer, da Vinci achieved a more dynamic and engaging composition. This innovative approach to portraiture quickly became the new convention, influencing generations of artists that followed.
Da Vinci's understanding of human anatomy is evident in the Mona Lisa's face, where he skillfully captures the underlying musculature and skull structure. The painting's famous smile, with its subtle curves, reflects da Vinci's idea of the cosmic link between humanity and nature, as the sensuous curves are echoed in the shapes of the valleys and rivers behind her.
Additionally, da Vinci's use of oil glazes in multiple thin layers adds depth and luminosity to the painting. This technique, known as "craquelure," creates fine cracks in the paint, which are more delicate on the hands, indicating the later additions of the final layers.
The Mona Lisa is a testament to da Vinci's meticulous attention to detail, with each element carefully composed to create a harmonious whole. The subject's clothing and hairstyle, though simple, draw attention to her face, emphasising her enigmatic expression. The background, with its distant landscape, contributes to the sense of mystery and allure that has captivated viewers for centuries.
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The painting's history
The history of the Mona Lisa began in the early 16th century when Leonardo da Vinci started painting it around 1503. It remained in his studio when he died in 1519. It is believed that da Vinci worked on the painting intermittently over several years, adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times.
The painting was likely commissioned by Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo, to celebrate the birth of his second son, Andrea. The subject of the painting is thought to be his wife, Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini), although this has never been conclusively proven. The alternative title of the work, "La Gioconda", supports this theory, as the Italian name means "happy" or "jovial", reflecting the sitter's faint smile. 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 painting was owned by French royalty for centuries and was displayed in various palaces. It was part of the royal collection before becoming the property of the French people during the Revolution (1787-1799). In the 19th century, it adorned Napoleon Bonaparte's bedroom.
The painting was briefly stolen in 1911 by Louvre employee Vincenzo Peruggia, bringing it even more attention and notoriety. It was recovered and returned to the Louvre, where it remains to this day. The Louvre launched a four-year, $6.3 million renovation in 2003, after which the painting was given its own room. Today, the painting is displayed behind bulletproof glass and continues to draw thousands of spectators each day.
The Mona Lisa has inspired countless artists over the years, with many creating their own versions or parodies of the iconic work. Notable examples include Le rire by Sapeck (Eugène Bataille), shown in 1883, and L.H.O.O.Q. by Marcel Duchamp in 1919, which added a moustache and beard to the lady's face.
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Frequently asked questions
The identity of the woman in the painting is unknown, but it is thought to be a portrait of Italian noble Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo.
The Mona Lisa is famous for a number of reasons, including the mysterious smile of the subject, the unknown identity of the woman, and the painting's overall harmony. The painting is also thought to represent an ideal rather than a real woman.
The Mona Lisa's smile is thought to be a visual representation of the idea of happiness suggested by the word “gioconda" in Italian. Sigmund Freud believed that the smile emerged from Leonardo's memory of his mother's smile.
The original Mona Lisa painting is currently on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. It has been a part of the museum's collection since 1804 and is owned by the Government of France.
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