Mona Lisa
Facts
Title: Mona Lisa
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Year: 1503 – 1506
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Year: 1503 – 1506
The Mona Lisa is quite possibly the most well-known piece of
painted artwork in the entire world. It was painted by the Leonardo Da Vinci
between 1504 and 1519, and is a half body commission for a woman named Lisa
Gherardini. Her husband, Francesco Del Giocondo requested the work by Da Vinci
just after the turn of the century. It is perhaps the most studied piece of
artwork ever known. The subject’s facial expression has brought about a source
of debate for centuries, as her face remains largely enigmatic in the portrait.
Originally commissioned in Italy, it is now at home in France, and hangs on
display in the Louvre in Paris.
Background
The work was requested by her husband, Francesco Del
Giocondo. Lisa was from a well-known family known from Tuscany and Florence and
married to Francesco Del Giocondo who was a very wealthy silk merchant. The
work was to celebrate their home’s completion, as well as a celebration of the
birth of their second son. Not until 2005 was the identity of Mona Lisa‘s subject
fully understood, though years of speculation have suggested the true identity
of the painting’s subject.
Leonardo Da Vinci
The Mona Lisa is famous for a variety of reasons. One of the
reasons, of course, for the popularity of the painting is the artist himself.
Leonardo da Vinci is perhaps the most recognized artist in the world. Not only
was Da Vinci an artist, but he was also a scientist, inventor, and a doctor.
His study of the human form came from the study of actual human corpses.
Because of his ability to study from the actual form of the human, he was able to draw and paint it more accurately than any other artist of his time. While the Mona Lisa may be revered as the greatest piece of artwork of all time, Da Vinci was known more for his ability to draw than to paint. Currently there are only a handful of paintings of Da Vinci’s, mostly because of his largely experimental style of art, and his habit of procrastination. Among his most famous sketches is the Vitruvian Man, which anybody who has ever studied anatomy, human biology, or art knows very well.
Because of his ability to study from the actual form of the human, he was able to draw and paint it more accurately than any other artist of his time. While the Mona Lisa may be revered as the greatest piece of artwork of all time, Da Vinci was known more for his ability to draw than to paint. Currently there are only a handful of paintings of Da Vinci’s, mostly because of his largely experimental style of art, and his habit of procrastination. Among his most famous sketches is the Vitruvian Man, which anybody who has ever studied anatomy, human biology, or art knows very well.
Theft & Vandalism
The Mona Lisa disappeared from the Louvre in France in 1911.
Pablo Picasso was on the original list of suspects questioned and jailed for
the theft, but he was later exonerated. For two years, the masterpiece was
thought to be forever lost. However, in 1913, Italian patriot Vincenzo Perugia
was arrested for the crime of stealing the famous painting, and the original
artwork returned to its home at the Louvre in Paris. Perugia was an employee of
the Louvre at the time, and he believed the painting belonged to Italy. For two
years he kept the famous piece of art housed in his apartment, but was
discovered when he tried selling to a gallery in Florence, Italy.
Over the centuries, the famous painting has withstood
attempts at vandalism as well. The first occurrence of vandalism was in 1956
when somebody threw acid at the bottom half, severely damaging the timeless
masterpiece. That same year, another vandal threw a rock at the work, removing
a chip of paint from near her elbow. It was later painted over. Afterwards, the
piece was put under bulletproof glass as a means of protection has kept the
painting from further attempts at vandalism and destruction.
