Who painted the "Mona Lisa"?
The Mona Lisa, one of the most renowned artworks in history, continues to captivate audiences with its enigmatic nature. It was painted by the visionary artist of the Renaissance era, Leonardo da Vinci. This extraordinary masterpiece, created between 1504 and 1519, is a half-length portrait of a woman named Lisa Gherardini12. Leonardo’s skillful use of oil on a white Lombardy poplar panel resulted in a painting that has been described as “the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, and the most parodied work of art in the world” 3. The Mona Lisa’s novel qualities, including the subject’s enigmatic expression, monumentality of the composition, subtle modeling of forms, and atmospheric illusionism, contribute to its enduring allure. Although traditionally known as Mona Lisa, the Italian title is Monna Lisa, derived from the polite form of address “ma donna” (similar to “Ma’am” or “my lady” in English) 3. This iconic painting, now the property of the French Republic, has been on display at the Louvre in Paris since 1797 3. Its global fame and popularity were further fueled by its 1911 theft, subsequent recovery, and cultural depictions, including songs and films inspired by this captivating portrait 3. The Mona Lisa holds the Guinness World Record for the highest known painting insurance valuation in history, estimated at US$100 million in 1962 (equivalent to $1 billion as of 2023) 34.
