Marcus Chen
The Mona Lisa, arguably the world's most famous painting, was created by Leonardo da Vinci sometime between 1503 and 1519. The Italian artist is thought to have worked on the painting intermittently over several years, carrying it with him on his travels from Florence to Milan, Rome, and finally, France. The painting's subject, a woman with an enigmatic expression, has been the subject of much speculation, with many theories positing that she is Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Year painting began | 1503 |
| Year painting completed | Between 1506 and 1519 |
| Medium | Oil on a poplar wood panel |
| Subject | Likely Lisa del Giocondo |
| Current location | Louvre Museum, Paris |
| Owner | French Republic |
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What You'll Learn
Da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503
The Mona Lisa, by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci, is an oil painting on a poplar wood panel. It is probably the world's most famous 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. The woman's expression is one of mysterious amusement, as she meets the viewer's gaze directly, turning slightly towards them. This is a notable deviation from traditional female portraiture of the time. The subject's enigmatic smile has been theorised by Sigmund Freud to be an approving smile from Da Vinci's mother, Caterina, imparted onto the Mona Lisa.
The painting's background also differs from traditional Italian portraiture, which painted the background in the same sharp focus as the central figure. Instead, Da Vinci used sfumato to create imperceptible transitions between light and dark, and the background fades into the distance. The horizon line is level with the eyes, linking the figure with the landscape and adding to the mysterious nature of the painting.
The identity of the sitter has been the subject of much speculation and debate. Most scholars believe the painting to be a portrait of Italian noblewoman Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo. This identity was first suggested in 1550 by artist biographer Giorgio Vasari. However, several other people have been proposed as the subject of the painting, including Isabella of Aragon, Cecilia Gallerani, and Costanza d'Avalos.
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The painting was never completed
The painting of the Mona Lisa began in 1503 and remained in Leonardo da Vinci's possession until his death in 1519. It is believed that da Vinci worked on the painting intermittently, adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times. The painting was never completed.
Some art historians believe that da Vinci's intention was never to finish the painting. They argue that the painting was a means for da Vinci to continuously experiment and refine his techniques. Over time, the painting became a work in progress, with da Vinci constantly tweaking and adjusting his work. This is supported by the fact that da Vinci never gave the painting to the Giocondo family, for whom it was believed to have been painted.
The Mona Lisa is known for its intricate details, such as the subject's enigmatic expression, the subtle modelling of forms, and the atmospheric illusionism. These details may have taken a significant amount of time to perfect, and da Vinci may have felt that the painting was never truly finished to his satisfaction.
Additionally, da Vinci's travels may have interrupted his work on the painting. It is known that da Vinci carried the Mona Lisa with him on his journeys, transporting it on the backs of mules as he travelled from Florence to Milan to Rome and finally to France. These travels may have disrupted his workflow and prevented him from completing the painting.
The Mona Lisa has been described as a revolutionary work of art, deviating from traditional Italian portraiture in its pose, eye contact, and background depiction. Da Vinci's innovative approach may have extended the time it took to create the painting, and he may have continuously sought to improve and refine his techniques.
While the Mona Lisa was never completed by da Vinci, it has become one of the most famous and influential paintings in history. Its allure and mystique have captivated audiences for centuries, and it remains a testament to da Vinci's genius and mastery of artistic techniques.
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The subject's identity is unknown
The identity of the woman depicted in the Mona Lisa remains unknown. However, it is traditionally believed that the painting depicts Lisa del Giocondo, an Italian noblewoman and wife of Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo. 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 Italian name for the painting, "La Gioconda", is a pun on the feminine form of Lisa's married name, "Giocondo".
Other theories suggest that the painting depicts someone else entirely. The catalogue raisonné Leonardo da Vinci (2019) confirms that the painting probably depicts Lisa del Giocondo, with Isabella d'Este being the only plausible alternative. However, scholars have argued that Lisa del Giocondo was the subject of a different portrait, and that there are at least four other paintings referred to by Vasari as the Mona Lisa. Several other people have been proposed as the subject of the painting, including Isabella of Aragon, Cecilia Gallerani, Costanza d'Avalos, Duchess of Francavilla, and even Leonardo himself.
Adding to the mystery of the painting's subject is the fact that it has no clearly visible eyebrows or eyelashes, and the subject's enigmatic expression, which has been described as a "suggestive smile and enigmatic gaze". This sense of mystery has only added to the painting's fame and popularity, making it the subject of ongoing investigation and fascination.
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It was stolen in 1911
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, was stolen in 1911. It was taken from the Louvre in Paris, where it was housed at the time. The painting was stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian decorator who had briefly worked at the Louvre as a glazier. Peruggia had likely been involved in constructing the painting's box frame and would have known how to open it quickly.
The theft occurred on 21 August 1911, and it was not a subtle act. Three men, including Peruggia, dressed as museum workers and simply walked out of the Louvre with the painting. It took 28 hours for anyone to notice the painting's absence, despite a large-scale police investigation involving at least 60 policemen. The investigation even led to the arrest of Pablo Picasso and Guillaume Apollinaire, although they were later cleared of any involvement.
Peruggia's motivation for the theft has been debated. Some sources claim he did it for money, as he tried to sell the painting to an antiques dealer in Florence, Alfredo Geri. He even travelled to London to try and sell it, but the dealer he approached laughed at him. However, Peruggia himself claimed he was a patriot and wanted to return the painting to Italy, as he believed it had been stolen by Napoleon.
The painting was recovered two years after its theft when Peruggia tried to sell it in Florence. Giovanni Poggi, director of the Uffizi, authenticated the painting, and the police were informed. Peruggia was arrested at his hotel, and the painting was placed under his bed. The recovery of the Mona Lisa sparked a media frenzy, with banner headlines all over the world and Florentines rioting to see the stolen painting.
The theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 undoubtedly contributed to its fame, as it became a well-known artwork globally due to the extensive media coverage and police investigation.
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The painting is now owned by the French Republic
Leonardo da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503, and it remained in his studio until his death in 1519. It is believed that he worked on it for several years, adding multiple layers of thin oil glazes at different times. The painting was then acquired by French King Francis I, in whose court Leonardo spent the last years of his life. The painting became part of the royal collection and was secluded in French palaces for centuries.
During the French Revolution (1787-1799), insurgents claimed the royal collection, including the Mona Lisa, as the property of the people. The painting was later installed in the Louvre Museum at the turn of the 19th century. The Louvre considers the painting irreplaceable and has invested resources into its protection and maintenance.
The Mona Lisa is now owned by the French Republic. Legally, the French government holds ownership of the painting, and it is considered a national treasure of France. The painting has remained in the possession of the French state since it was acquired by King Francis I in the 16th century. Its ownership has not changed hands for centuries, solidifying its status as a symbol of French heritage.
The French government has maintained that the painting is an integral part of French culture and should remain in the Louvre, where it can be appreciated by people from all over the world. The decision to display the painting in the Louvre has, however, been controversial. There have been cultural campaigns and online disputes calling for the return of the painting to Italy, where it was created by Leonardo da Vinci.
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Frequently asked questions
Leonardo da Vinci started painting the Mona Lisa around 1503.
Da Vinci likely worked on the Mona Lisa until his death in 1519, meaning it took him about 16 years to complete the painting.
No, Da Vinci never sold the painting and carried it with him on his travels until his death in 1519.
After Da Vinci's death, the Mona Lisa was acquired by King Francis I of France and became part of the French royal collection.
