Explanation of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
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Explanation of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
The Mona Lisa, also known as La Gioconda, is a Renaissance work painted by multifaceted artist Leonardo da Vinci.
The painting was painted between 1503 and 1506 and, today, it is one of the most important symbols of Western culture. It is currently in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
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Some interesting facts about the Mona Lisa
1. He lived with François I, Louis XIV, and Napoleon
Although da Vinci began working on his masterpiece while living in his native Italy, he did not finish it until he moved to France at the request of King Francis.
The French king exhibited the painting in his palace at Fontainebleau, where it remained for a century. . Louis XIV transferred it to the great Palace of Versailles.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte kept the painting on his dressing table.
2. Some historians believe that Mona Lisa is a self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci.
Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519 and was buried in a French chateau. The Italian National Committee for Cultural Heritage is investigating and considering digging up his skull.
They want to reconstruct Leonardo's face using CSI-style technology. Will she look like the mysterious Mona Lisa?
3. He has his own room at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
After the Louvre undertook a four-year, $6.3 million renovation in 2003, the painting now has its own room.
A glass ceiling lets in natural light, a shatterproof glass display case maintains a controlled temperature of 43 degrees F, and a small projector brings out the true colors of da Vinci's original paintings.
4. It's a painting but not a canvas.
Leonardo da Vinci's famous masterpiece is painted on a poplar board. Considering he used to paint larger works on wet plaster, a wooden board doesn't seem so far-fetched.
Canvas has been available to artists since the 14th century, but many Renaissance masters preferred wood as the basis for their small works of art.
5. Jackie Kennedy invited her to visit.
Over the centuries, the French authorities rarely lost sight of the painting. However, when First Lady Jackie Kennedy asked if the painting could travel to the United States, French President De Gaulle agreed.
"Mona Lisa" was exhibited at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. and then at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York.
6. A thief made her famous.
Although in the art world the painting has always been a recognized masterpiece, it was not until it was stolen in the summer of 1911 that it came to the attention of the general public.
Newspapers carried the story of the crime around the world. When the painting finally returned to the Louvre two years later, virtually everyone was applauding.
7. Picasso was suspected of theft.
During the investigation, the gendarmes even questioned well-known art dissidents such as Pablo Picasso about the theft.
They briefly arrested the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, who once said the painting should be burned. His suspicions turned out to be unfounded.
8. She receives fan mail.
Since the painting arrived in the Louvre in 1815, "Mona Lisa" has received many love letters and flowers from admirers. He even has his own mailbox.
9. Not everyone is a fan.
Several vandals attempted to damage Leonardo da Vinci's famous masterpiece, and 1956 was a particularly bad year.
In two separate attacks, one person threw acid at the board and another threw it with a rock. The damage is light but still noticeable.
The addition of bulletproof glass repelled subsequent attacks with spray paint in 1974 and a coffee mug in 2009.
10. You cannot buy or sell.
Truly priceless, the painting cannot be bought or sold under French inheritance law. Part of the Louvre's collection, "Mona Lisa" belongs to the public, and, by popular agreement, their hearts belong to her.
Watching this video you will know everything about the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. Here you will find a lot of information about this incredible painting and all the data about it.
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Source: Great Art Explained
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Last update on 2025-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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