Elena Rossi
The Mona Lisa, arguably the world's most famous painting, was created by Leonardo da Vinci over a period of sixteen years, from 1503 until his death in 1519. Da Vinci never relinquished ownership of the painting during his lifetime, carrying it with him on his travels from Florence to Milan, Rome, and finally, France. The painting was acquired by French King Francis I after da Vinci's death and became part of the royal collection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period the Mona Lisa was painted in | Between 1503 and 1519 |
| Creator | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Medium | Oil paint on poplar wood panel |
| Location | Louvre Museum, Paris |
| Ownership | French King Francis I |
| Theft | Stolen in 1911 |
| Tour | Taken on a tour to the U.S. in 1963 |
| Maintenance | Treated with carbon tetrachloride in 1977 and 1985 to prevent insect infestation |
| Frame | Fitted with a flexible oak frame in 1951 |
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What You'll Learn
Leonardo da Vinci began the painting in 1503
The Mona Lisa, arguably the world's most famous painting, was started by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503. It was likely worked on by da Vinci until his death in 1519, although some sources suggest he finished it in 1517. The painting was in his studio when he died, and it was never displayed in the sitter's home.
The Mona Lisa is an oil painting on a poplar wood panel. It is believed that da Vinci worked on the painting intermittently over several years, adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times. This technique is known as sfumato, where fine shading is used to blur edges and contours, resulting in a painting with no harsh lines or borders. The painting is also noted for its use of a three-quarter view, where the sitter is positioned as if turning towards the viewer, breaking from the standard profile pose used in Italian art at the time.
The identity of the sitter is unknown, but she is believed to be Lisa del Giocondo, a 24-year-old woman who had recently given birth to her second son. The painting may have been commissioned by Giocondo to commemorate this birth, as infant and maternal mortality rates were quite high at the time. Other theories suggest that the painting was commissioned by Giuliano de' Medici in 1513.
The Mona Lisa has had a long and fascinating history since its creation. It was acquired by French King Francis I after da Vinci's death and became part of the French royal collection. It remained secluded in French palaces until the French Revolution (1787-1799), when it was claimed by insurgents as the property of the people. It hung in Napoleon's bedroom for a time before finding its permanent home in the Louvre Museum in the 19th century.
The painting has been the subject of much intrigue and fascination, with many theories attempting to explain its celebrity. Its fame is likely due to a combination of chance circumstances and its inherent appeal. The Mona Lisa has been described as a living person, an elegant woman with a vast inner life and a strong resemblance to Renaissance depictions of the Virgin Mary.
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He carried it on mules while travelling
The Mona Lisa, an oil painting on a poplar wood panel, was created by Leonardo da Vinci sometime between 1503 and 1519. Da Vinci carried the painting with him on the backs of mules as he travelled from Florence to Milan, to Rome, and finally to France. He likely worked on it intermittently over several years, adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times.
The painting's varnish may have cracked and yellowed over time, but the subject's mysterious smile and enigmatic gaze continue to captivate audiences worldwide. This is evidenced by the crowds that gather to view the painting in the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it has been housed since the turn of the 19th century.
The Mona Lisa's fame is not solely due to the painting's inherent appeal. Its celebrity status can also be attributed to various chance circumstances, such as its theft from the Louvre in 1911 and its subsequent tour to the US in 1963. The painting has endured a tumultuous history, including warping and swelling during World War II, insect infestations, and multiple restorations to address scratches, varnish issues, and other damage.
Da Vinci never relinquished ownership of the Mona Lisa during his lifetime, carrying it with him on his travels and adding to it over the years. The painting's journey began in Florence, where it was likely started around 1503. Da Vinci then took it with him on mules to Milan, where it continued its journey to Rome. Finally, it crossed the Alps to reach its final destination in France, where it remained in Da Vinci's possession until his death in 1519.
The Mona Lisa's creation spanned cities and countries, reflecting the nomadic nature of its creator, Leonardo da Vinci. Carrying the painting on mules ensured its safety and allowed Da Vinci to work on it wherever he went. The painting's nomadic existence mirrors the journey of its subject, Lisa del Giocondo, whose identity has been the subject of ongoing investigation and fascination.
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It was in his studio when he died in 1519
The Mona Lisa was in Leonardo da Vinci's studio when he died in 1519. Da Vinci is thought to have begun work on the painting around 1503, and he never relinquished ownership of it during his lifetime. Instead, he carried it with him on his travels from Florence to Milan, Rome, and finally to France.
It is believed that da Vinci worked on the painting intermittently over several years, adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times. This technique, which involved carefully blurring edges and contours to eliminate harsh lines, is known as sfumato. Small cracks in the paint, called craquelure, appear throughout the piece, but they are finer on the hands, indicating that da Vinci's late work on the painting was more delicate.
The Mona Lisa was likely sold by da Vinci's pupil and assistant Salaì to King Francis I of France in 1518, the year before the artist's death. It is possible that Salaì had possession of the painting as early as 1513, when da Vinci was working under the patronage of Giuliano de' Medici in Rome. After acquiring the painting, Francis I kept it in the royal collection, where it remained for centuries, secluded in French palaces.
During the French Revolution (1787-1799), insurgents claimed the royal collection as the property of the people. The Mona Lisa hung in Napoleon's bedroom for a time before finding its permanent home in the Louvre Museum at the turn of the 19th century.
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It was acquired by French King Francis I after da Vinci's death
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is considered an archetypal masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. It is believed that da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503, and it remained in his possession until his death in 1519.
Da Vinci is thought to have continued working on the painting until his death, carrying it with him on his travels from Florence to Milan, Rome, and finally, France. In 1516, da Vinci accepted an invitation from King Francis I of France to work at the Clos Lucé near the Château d'Amboise, and it is believed that he took the Mona Lisa with him.
Upon da Vinci's death in Amboise, France, in 1519, the painting was inherited by his assistant Salaì, who sold it to King Francis I for 4,000 gold coins. The painting thus became part of the French royal collection.
For centuries, the Mona Lisa was secluded in French palaces, accessible only to the royal court. During the French Revolution (1787-1799), insurgents claimed the royal collection as the property of the people. The painting was moved to the Louvre Museum at the turn of the 19th century, where it has remained an object of pilgrimage.
The Mona Lisa is now the property of the French Republic and is protected by French heritage law, which prohibits its sale. It is considered public property and is accessible to the public at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
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It was hung in the Louvre Museum at the turn of the 19th century
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the most famous works of art in the world. It is believed that da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503, and it remained in his studio until he died in 1519. The painting was likely worked on intermittently for several years, with da Vinci adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times.
French King Francis I acquired the painting after da Vinci's death, and it became part of the royal collection. For centuries, the portrait was secluded in French palaces. During the French Revolution (1787-1799), insurgents claimed the royal collection as the property of the people. Following a period hanging in Napoleon's bedroom, the Mona Lisa was installed in the Louvre Museum at the turn of the 19th century.
The Louvre Museum, located in Paris, is one of the most famous museums in the world. The Mona Lisa has been housed in the Louvre's largest room, the Salle des États, since 1966. The painting is displayed in a protective glass case, which helps to ensure its safety and also aids in conservation due to the warping of the poplar wood panel over the years.
The Mona Lisa has been the subject of much fascination and intrigue, with its mysterious subject and her enigmatic smile captivating viewers for centuries. The painting's popularity was further enhanced when it was famously stolen in 1911, only to be recovered over two years later. The theft and subsequent recovery generated significant public interest and contributed to the painting's iconic status.
The Louvre has undergone various embellishments over the years, including repainting the walls of the Salle des États a deep midnight blue in 2019, enhancing the contrast with the rich colours of the Venetian masterpieces on display. The museum continues to attract visitors from all over the world, with the Mona Lisa remaining one of its most popular attractions.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mona Lisa was painted between 1503 and 1519.
No, Leonardo da Vinci likely worked on the Mona Lisa intermittently over several years, adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times.
No, Leonardo da Vinci never relinquished ownership of the Mona Lisa during his lifetime.
After Leonardo da Vinci's death in 1519, the painting was acquired by French King Francis I and became part of the royal collection.
The Mona Lisa is currently housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
