Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa painting is one of the most prestigious paintings among the works of Leonardo Da Vinci. But what is the meaning behind the painting and what was its initial purpose?

Author

Hagop Kaloustian
October 05, 2024

Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci

Mona Lisa is a portrait painting by Leonardo da Vinci. It is widely considered as one of the cornerstones of the Renaissance Era. But why? What is it that is so special about this painting?

History

Creation

The start date of the painting is unknown, but experts suggest that it started in around 1504 in Florence. The painting is believed to be originally commissioned for Giuliano di Lorenzo de' Medici, an Italian nobleman from the famous Medici family in Italy. The painting itself was based on the model of Lisa del Giocondo, a noblewoman from The Gherardini family.

Vandalism and Theft

After the French Revolution, the painting was transported to Louvre and was briefly kept in Napoleon’s room. In August of 1911, the painting was stolen for the first time. After its first and only theft, the Mona Lisa has been vandalized 6 times by far, The latest being in 2024 when Environmental protesters threw pumpkin soup at it.

Well, there are several reasons for why this painting is so popular:

  1. Mastery of painting technique: Leonardo da Vinci has used the sfumato technique, which creates a soft transition between tones and colors, and contributes to Mona Lisa’s famous yet mysterious smile.

  2. Mysterious Identity of the subject of the Painting: The true subject of the painting is merely believed to be Lisa del Giocondo, however this has not been verified to this day. In addition to that, the presence of the mystery surrounding the historical context of the painting, her facial expressions and her emotions only increase the curiosity of the viewer.

  3. Historical significance: The painting came into public spotlight when it was first stolen in 1911, when the thief believed that the painting rightfully belonged to Italy. This lead to a public manhunt to assure no harm was done to the painting.

  4. Cultural Impact and Legacy: This art piece represents the renaissance era and its ideals of beauty and humanism. Throughout the years, The Mona Lisa has been referenced in various other pieces of art and media. Many artists have been influenced to write songs, or film movies based on it.