The Mona Lisa is considered one of the most famous paintings ever. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1503 and 1506, the subject of the painting has always been shrouded in mystery. Moreover, the sudden disappearance and subsequent rise to fame of the Mona Lisa in the 20th century has also created a mystery about the famous painting with the hidden smile.
Uncovering the Mystery
There have been several theories about the identity of the Mona Lisa. Most commonly, people believe that she was the wife of a wealthy Florentine merchant named Lisa del Giocondo. However, her husband’s lack of any recorded commission leaves many doubts about whether it is her.
Many myths surround the Mona Lisa. Some speculated that she was a mysterious muse of Leonardo da Vinci. Others believed she was a vampire who had died many times over. The theories ranged from reasonable to absurd, building an aura of mystery around the painting.
The Mona Lisa changed hands several times, from King Francis I to a public collection in France and ultimately to the Louvre in Paris. In 1911, the Mona Lisa skyrocketed to fame when the news of its theft from the Louvre spread across the world.
Theft and Recovery
The painting was stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia, an employee of the Louvre, along with two accomplices. For two years, the Mona Lisa was missing. In 1913, when the painting was recovered, we found out why he stole the painting. Perugia stole the painting as an act of patriotism because he believed it had been stolen from Florence by Napoleon. He declared it was his patriotic duty to return the painting to its rightful origin.
In 1913, Perugia himself returned the painting in exchange for a reward from the Italian Government. To date, no one knows why he chose to return it. Some believe he created a copy of it in the two years that the painting was missing. Considering that one of his accomplices was Eduardo de Valfierno, a well-known forger, it might even be true.
In the two years that the painting was missing, many reproductions were made of the Mona Lisa. These included postcard-sized pictures with funny images or commentary on the secretive smile and her eyes that follow you as you pass by. It would be difficult to find anyone who is not familiar with the painting.
FAQs
- Who is Mona Lisa?
Many people believe that she was the wife of a wealthy Florentine merchant who went by the name Lisa Del Giocondo.
- When and who painted the Mona Lisa?
The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1503 and 1506.
- What is Mona Lisa’s smile?
Mona Lisa’s smile refers to her subtle smile in the painting. It is so subtle that it is almost like a hidden expression.
- Where is the Mona Lisa today?
The Mona Lisa is housed in the Louvre in France.
At PlanetSpark, we work towards uncovering many mysteries, such as the Mona Lisa’s smile, through our unique online learning techniques!
