Lena Rivera
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is perhaps the world's most famous painting. The identity of the woman in the painting has been the subject of much speculation and debate, with several people proposed as the subject. However, it is now widely believed that the painting depicts Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini), the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo. This identity was first suggested in 1550 by artist biographer Giorgio Vasari, and was seemingly confirmed in 2005 when a scholar at Heidelberg University discovered a marginal note in a book in the library's collection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini) |
| Birthdate | 15 June 1479 |
| Death date | 14 July 1542 (aged 63) |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Origin | Florence, Tuscany |
| Family | Gherardini |
| Parents | Antonmaria di Noldo Gherardini and Lucrezia del Caccia |
| Husband | Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo |
| Children | Six children, including Suor Ludovica and Bartolomeo |
| Social Status | Noblewoman, Middle Class |
| Portrait Date | Between 1503 and 1519 |
| Portrait Medium | Oil on a white poplar panel |
| Portrait Location | Louvre Museum, Paris, France |
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What You'll Learn
The identity of the woman in the painting is uncertain
The identity of the woman in Leonardo da Vinci's painting, the Mona Lisa, has been the subject of much speculation and debate. The work is considered an archetypal masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance and is likely the world's most famous painting, attracting millions of visitors each year at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it has been since 1804.
The traditional view, first suggested in 1550 by artist biographer Giorgio Vasari, is that the painting depicts Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini), the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo. The painting's title in Italian, "La Gioconda", is a pun on the feminine form of Lisa's married name, "Giocondo", which means "happy" or "jovial". However, it is important to note that Leonardo himself made no mention of the work, and other sources suggest that the portrait may have been completed later, between 1513 and 1516, which would have been after Vasari's suggested timeframe.
In 2005, scholar Carmen C. Bambach put the conjecturing to rest "more or less definitively" when a marginal note was discovered in a book at the Heidelberg University Library. The note, written by Agostino Vespucci in 1503, states that Leonardo was working on a portrait of Lisa del Giocondo at that time. However, some scholars argue that this may not be the same painting as the one in the Louvre, and several other people have been proposed as the subject, including Isabella of Aragon, Cecilia Gallerani, and Caterina, Leonardo's mother.
Adding to the mystery, the painting's global fame and popularity are partly due to its theft from the Louvre in 1911, generating unprecedented publicity and leading to numerous cultural depictions. The sitter's enigmatic expression and the painting's inherent appeal have also contributed to its iconic status.
While the identity of the woman in the Mona Lisa remains uncertain, it is clear that the painting holds a significant place in the world of art, captivating audiences and scholars alike for centuries.
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Lisa del Giocondo is the most popular theory
The identity of the woman depicted in Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa has been the subject of much speculation and debate. One of the most popular theories is that she was Lisa del Giocondo, an Italian noblewoman and member of the Gherardini family of Florence and Tuscany. This theory was first suggested by artist biographer Giorgio Vasari in 1550, who wrote that Leonardo had undertaken to paint a portrait of "Mona [or Monna] Lisa, his [Francesco del Giocondo's] wife." The Italian name for the painting, "La Gioconda," is a pun on the feminine form of Lisa's married name, Giocondo, and can be translated as "the happy one," possibly referring to the subject's enigmatic expression.
Lisa del Giocondo was born on June 15, 1479, and married in her teens to a cloth and silk merchant, later becoming a local official. She was a mother to six children and led what is thought to have been a comfortable and ordinary life. She died on July 14, 1542, at the age of 63. While little is known about her life, some details about her family and the painting itself offer clues as to her possible identity as the Mona Lisa. For example, the painting is believed to have been commissioned to celebrate the birth of their second son, Andrea, and the purchase of their new home.
The theory that the Mona Lisa depicts Lisa del Giocondo gained strong support in 2005 when a scholar at Heidelberg University discovered a marginal note in a book in the library's collection. The note, written by Agostino Vespucci in 1503, states that Leonardo was working on a portrait of Lisa del Giocondo at that time. This discovery confirmed the traditional view that the sitter was Lisa and put to rest much of the conjecturing about her identity.
While the Louvre Museum acknowledges that Leonardo was indeed painting a portrait of Lisa del Giocondo in 1503, they cannot be certain that this portrait is the same one that hangs in their gallery today. This uncertainty is due to the fact that Leonardo never gave the painting to the Giocondo family, and it is believed that he considered it unfinished. The painting was later acquired by King Francis I of France after Leonardo's death in 1519, and it has remained in France ever since.
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Other theories include Isabella d'Este and Caterina, Leonardo's mother
The identity of the woman depicted in the Mona Lisa has been a subject of much speculation and debate. The traditional view is that the painting depicts Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini), the 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, and can be translated as "the happy one", which may refer to the subject's enigmatic expression.
However, other theories about the identity of the woman in the painting have been proposed. One such theory suggests that the model could have been Leonardo's mother, Caterina. This interpretation was put forth by Sigmund Freud, who believed that the Mona Lisa’s mysterious smile emerged from a memory of Caterina’s smile, perhaps unconscious. Another plausible alternative is that the painting depicts Isabella d'Este, a Renaissance-era noblewoman known for her patronage of the arts.
The uncertainty surrounding the identity of the Mona Lisa has contributed to the painting's fame and allure. The woman's enigmatic expression, along with the mystery of her identity, has made the painting a source of ongoing investigation and fascination.
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The painting was likely commissioned to celebrate the birth of a son
The identity of the subject of the Mona Lisa has been the subject of much debate and speculation. However, it is widely believed that the painting depicts Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo, a Florentine silk merchant. This belief is supported by historical documents, including a note made by an Florentine official, which mentions a commission for a portrait of Lisa Gherardini by her husband.
Now to discuss the context and potential meaning behind the commission of this iconic artwork. There are several theories as to why Francesco del Giocondo commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to paint the Mona Lisa. One compelling theory suggests that the painting was intended to celebrate the birth of a son. This theory is supported by several pieces of evidence and the historical context surrounding the work.
Firstly, we must consider the time frame in which the painting was likely created. Most art historians agree that the Mona Lisa was painted between 1503 and 1506. This timeframe is significant because it coincides with the birth of Francesco and Lisa's two sons. The couple's first son, Piero, was born in 1499, and their second son, Andrea, arrived in 1502. The timing suggests that the painting could have been a celebration of their sons' births, or alternatively, a celebration of the promise of future offspring, as the painting may have been commissioned before the births took place.
Additionally, it is important to understand the cultural context of the Renaissance period. In Florentine society, particularly among the wealthy classes, it was common to commission paintings to commemorate special occasions and life events. The birth of a healthy son would certainly have been considered a significant event worthy of such a commission, especially given the high infant mortality rates of the time. A portrait of Lisa with her son (or the expectation of one) would have been a way to celebrate and showcase the family's happiness, love, and prosperity.
Another piece of evidence that lends weight to this theory is the clothing and accessories depicted in the portrait. Lisa is dressed in an elegant and expensive-looking gown, with fine jewelry adorning her hair and neck. This may signify wealth and status, but it could also suggest that the portrait was intended to commemorate a special occasion. The clothing could represent the finery that a mother would wear to celebrate a significant family event, such as a christening or a celebration honoring the birth of a son.
Finally, we can consider the expression on Lisa's face, which has been the subject of much intrigue and analysis. The famous smile could be interpreted as a proud and joyful expression, reflecting the happiness of a mother celebrating the birth of her child. The subtle hint of a smile, often described as enigmatic, could be a visual representation of the joy and love a mother feels for her children. This interpretation aligns with the theory that the painting was a celebration of the birth of a son, capturing a mother's love and pride forever on canvas.
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The painting's fame is partly due to its theft in 1911
The Mona Lisa is a portrait painting by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. It is considered an archetypal masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance and is widely regarded as the most famous painting in the world. The painting's fame is partly due to its theft in 1911 by Vincenzo Peruggia, who attributed his actions to Italian patriotism—a belief that the painting belonged in Italy.
On August 21, 1911, Peruggia, a former Louvre employee, entered the museum on a day it was closed, disguised himself as a museum employee, and stole the painting. He kept the Mona Lisa hidden for two years, stashed in his home in a wooden trunk with a false bottom. In December 1913, Peruggia attempted to sell the painting in Italy, but his theft was quickly discovered. He was charged with theft and put on trial in Italy, where he was sentenced to one year and 15 days in prison but served only seven months.
The theft and subsequent recovery of the Mona Lisa generated unprecedented publicity for an art theft, leading to its worldwide recognition. The painting's travels to Asia and North America during the 1960s and 1970s further contributed to its fame and iconization. By the end of the 20th century, the Mona Lisa had become a global icon, appearing in numerous cultural depictions and used in various advertisements.
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Frequently asked questions
The lady in the Mona Lisa painting is thought to be Lisa del Giocondo (née Gherardini), the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco di Bartolomeo del Giocondo.
There is uncertainty because the artist, Leonardo da Vinci, made no mention of the work. This has led to a string of possible sitters being identified, including Leonardo himself in drag, and his mother, Caterina.
The Mona Lisa is considered an archetypal masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. Its novel qualities include the subject's enigmatic expression, the subtle modelling of forms, and the atmospheric illusionism. The painting's fame was also heightened by its theft from the Louvre in 1911.
The Mona Lisa hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it has been since 1804.
The Mona Lisa is considered priceless. However, it 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.
