There is no doubt that the Mona Lisa is a very good painting. There’s no one answer: she’s famous for her enigmatic smile, the advanced (for the time) art techniques used to create her, the history she has seen, and the mystery surrounding her subject. Da Vinci wasn’t just a painter; he found himself being drawn to engineering and scientific discovery as well. What’s more, as travel has become increasingly affordable since the late 20th century, more and more individuals have been able to visit Paris and pay their respects in person, contributing to the unyielding crowds of today. The painting appears in countless advertisements, has inspired poetry, sculpture, forgery, and even theft. Leonardo painted a complex figure that is very much like a complicated human. As patronage of the Louvre grew, so too did recognition of the painting. Read more about the painting’s subject and history. The Mona Lisa is also the earliest Italian portrait in which the subject is framed in a half-length portrait; the woman's arms and hands are displayed without touching the frame. It is considered as the ultimate artwork, endlessly admired, and photographed all over the world. This painting was created by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503 to 1504. The writer Giorgio Vasari later extolled Leonardo’s ability to closely imitate nature. Five centuries after Leonardo DA Vinci painted the Mona Lisa (1503–19), the picture hangs behind impenetrable glass inside the Louvre Museum and draws a huge number of bumping onlookers every day. Once the Mona Lisa was returned to the Louvre, the French turned out in droves to see her, and soon, so did people from all over the globe. It is a small portrait that attracts millions of people. Millions of tourists visit the portrait of Mona Lisa (also known as La Joconde) every year. The painting is quite popular for the below reasons: Smile; It is difficult to tell whether the subject is happy or not. The man was Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian immigrant to France, who had briefly worked at the Louvre fitting glass on a selection of paintings, including the Mona Lisa. There are, after all, many good paintings. Alicja Zelazko is the Assistant Editor, Arts and Humanities, covering topics in the visual arts, architecture, music, and performance. She’s dressed modestly in a translucent veil, dark robes, and no jewelry. Once the theft was discovered, the Louvre closed for a week so investigators could piece together the puzzle. Many of his so-called inventions were later debunked, and his contributions to science and architecture came to be seen as small, but the myth of Leonardo as a genius has continued well into the 21st century, contributing to the Mona Lisa’s popularity. This painting is oil on panel and is 77 X 53 cm (Phaidon, 1994). And lastly, it was in The Louvre, a museum in Paris. For me, the Mona Lisa is famous simply because she is a beautiful painting. Why Is the Mona Lisa So Famous? Five centuries after Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa (1503–19), the portrait hangs behind bulletproof glass within the Louvre Museum and draws thousands of jostling spectators each day. Wigington, Patti. She is shown only from head to waist, sitting in a chair; her left arm rests on the arm of the chair. Meanwhile, the 19th century also mythologized Leonardo as a genius. Although many theories have attempted to pinpoint one reason for the art piece’s celebrity, the most compelling arguments insist that there is no one explanation. It is the most famous painting in the world, and yet, when viewers manage to see the artwork up close, they are likely to be baffled by the small subdued portrait of an ordinary woman. In 1956, someone threw acid on the painting, and in another attack the same year, a rock was thrown at it, causing a small bit of damage at the subject's left elbow. Yet, behind the enigmatic look, she is a mystery. Thanks to differences in spatial frequency perception within the human eye, from one viewpoint she looks cheerful... and from another, the viewer can't quite tell if she's happy or not. Mona lisa the ultimate to why is the mona lisa so famous how didn t know about the mona lisa how much is the mona … Security in the museum was lax, so the man found it easy to stow away inside a storage closet. The Mona Lisa has been one of the most debated paintings of all time. The expression of the lady in the painting is what makes the picture so famous… Although many scholars believe that the painting depicts Lisa Gherardini, wife of the Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo, no records of such a commission from Francesco exist, and the sitter has never been conclusively identified. How the Mona Lisa became famous. What really is the fuss about this painting. The Mona Lisa traveled to the United States in no less than a first-class cabin on an ocean liner and drew about 40,000 people a day to the Metropolitan Museum in New York City and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., during the portrait’s six-week stay. The subject’s softly sculptural face shows Leonardo’s skillful handling of sfumato, an artistic technique that uses subtle gradations of light and shadow to model form, and shows his understanding of the skull beneath the skin. (meant to evoke a vulgar phrase in French) at the bottom. Although the Mona Lisa is undoubtedly good art, there is no single reason for its celebrity. Leonardo wasn't the first to create the appearance that a subject's eyes are following people around the room, but the effect is so closely associated with his skill that it has become known—somewhat incorrectly—as the "Mona Lisa Effect. "Why Is the Mona Lisa So Famous?" The small, simple painting of a maybe-smiling woman had become an overnight sensation, and was the most famous work of art in the world. Other modern masters like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali painted their own versions of her, and artists have painted her in every conceivable manner, including as a dinosaur, a unicorn, one of Saturday Night Live's Coneheads, and wearing sunglasses and Mickey Mouse ears. When news of the crime broke on August 22 of that year, it caused an immediate sensation. 02/19/21. The Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre in 1911, and wasn't recovered for over two years; she is now housed behind bulletproof glass to protect her from vandals. The "Mona Lisa" was returned its permanent place in the Louvre in Paris. Along with the mysteries of the sitter’s identity and her enigmatic look, the reason for the work’s popularity is one of its many conundrums. After more than two years, in late 1913, a Florentine art dealer named Alfredo Geri received a letter from a man who claimed to have the painting. The reason everyone cites for the Mona Lisa's popularity is her smile. One of the most popular reasons for the Mona Lisa’s global appeal is her smile. Finally, thanks to Leonardo’s mastery of lighting and shadows, the woman's eyes appear to follow the viewer wherever they may be standing. This enigmatic piece of art was created by the genius Leonardo da Vinci during the times of the Italian Renaissance in the time range of 1505 to 1510 AD. Initially, conspiracy theories were everywhere: the Louvre had staged the heist as a publicity stunt, Pablo Picasso was behind it, or perhaps French poet Guillaume Apollinaire had taken the painting. In 2009, a Russian tourist flung a terra cotta mug at the painting; no damage was done, because Mona Lisa has been behind bulletproof glass for several decades. Taken by author July 2014. After completing the portrait, he spent time in both Milan and Rome, where he studied anatomy and served as an architectural advisor, before leaving Italy for good in 1516. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. More recently, with the advent of social networking websites and a host of photo-editing software, the Mona Lisa has become all the more famous. Rather, it is hundreds of circumstances—from its fortuitous arrival at the Louvre to the mythmaking of the 19th century to the endless reproductions of the 20th and 21st centuries—that have all worked together with the painting’s inherent appeal to make the Mona Lisa the world’s most famous painting ever. It was painted by the famous painter Leonardo Da Vinci. One early morning of 1911, an It a lian handyman with intimate knowledge of the corridors of the Louvre, since he had worked there, opened a … The writers of the 19th century aroused interest in the Mona Lisa, but the theft of the painting in 1911 and the ensuing media frenzy brought it worldwide attention. He played against the worship of art when he drew a beard and mustache on the lady’s face and added the acronym L.H.O.O.Q. Unlike many artworks of the time, the Mona Lisa is not painted on canvas. The famous painting of Mona Lisa is worth talking about. It is generally believed that the painting is of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy silk merchant named Francesco del Giocondo. In 1911 during the middle of the day, it was stolen. Why is the Mona Lisa so famous The painting of Mona Lisa adorning the walls of the Musee du Louvre at Paris has been enshrouded with a veil of mystique from times immemorial. But just why is it so famous?Perhaps, in simpe terms, because basically it’s just a beautiful mystery. I’ll be frank, I really didn’t see why the Mona Lisa inspired so much adoration. The sitter’s mysterious smile and her unproven identity have made the work a source of ongoing investigation and fascination. In addition to the use of sfumato, which was rarely done at the time, the woman in the portrait has an enigmatic expression on her face. There are a number of reasons behind this work's enduring fame, and combined, they create a fascinating story that has survived through the ages. Unable to sell the painting because of the media attention, Peruggia hid it in the false bottom of a trunk until his capture. On the evening of Sunday, August 20, 1911, a small, mustachioed man entered the Louvre museum in Paris and made his way to the Salon Carré, where the Da Vinci painting was housed alongside several other masterworks. The Mona Lisa is one of the most famous and intriguing painting of all time. The English author Walter Pater went so far as to call her a vampire who “has been dead many times, and learned the secrets of the grave.” The air of mystery that came to surround the Mona Lisa in the 19th century continues to define the painting and draw speculation. What’s so great about the Mona Lisa? Da Vinci exploited an optical illusion to create a unique smile through perspective and his use of shadow work. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. For such a famous painting, it is surprisingly small; it measures just 30 inches by 21 inches (77 cm by 53 cm). The theft of the Mona Lisa has been called the art heist of the century, but the caper itself was fairly rudimentary. The Medici version is believed to be the one that hangs in the Louvre today. There were also rumors he had taken it so that a forger could make copies of it to sell on the black market. Why is the Mona Lisa famous? Why Mona Lisa is so famous? The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci and is believed to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco Giocondo. He and two other workers took the portrait from the wall, hid with it in a closet overnight, and ran off with it in the morning. Much has been said about her smile and gaze, but viewers still might wonder what all the fuss is about. What’s Inside the Pyramid at Chichén Itzá? The Mona Lisa was found tucked safely away in Peruggia's apartments, just a few blocks from the museum. Indeed, the Mona Lisa is a very realistic portrait. The Mona Lisa, known as La Joconde in France, has one of the most famous faces the world has ever known despite being more than 500 years old. The Mona Lisa was painted over the course of several years by Leonardo da Vinci, the Florentine polymath and artist who created some of the Renaissance's most iconic works. Although many theories have attempted to pinpoint one reason for the art piece’s celebrity, the most compelling arguments insist that there is no one explanation. The painting became part of the royal collection, and, for centuries after, the portrait was secluded in French palaces until the Revolution claimed the royal collection as the property of the people. The Mona Lisa is perhaps the most recognizable piece of art in the world, but have you ever wondered just why the Mona Lisa is so famous? A tour of the painting to the United States in 1963 and to Japan in 1974 elevated it to celebrity status. The Mona Lisa is perhaps the most recognizable piece of art in the world, but have you ever wondered just why the Mona Lisa is so famous? In this case, the found object was a postcard reproduction of the Mona Lisa on which Duchamp used a pencil … Two fragmentary columns frame her, creating a window effect that looks out over the landscape behind her. Alicja Zelazko of Encyclopedia Britannica attributes this to Leonardo's skill with a brush, and his use of art techniques that were new and exciting during the Renaissance. It was highly regarded even as Leonardo worked on it, and his contemporaries copied the then novel three-quarter pose. Why is Mona Lisa so famous? There are a number of reasons behind this work’s enduring fame, and combined, they create a fascinating story that has survived through the ages. ThoughtCo, Feb. 7, 2021, thoughtco.com/why-is-the-mona-lisa-so-famous-4587695. It is arguably one of the most famous paintings in the world. By then, many French people had come to regard the work as a national treasure that they had lost and recovered. The story of the Mona Lisa’sevolution helps illustrate why the painting itself is so dazzling. It was highly regarded even as Leonardo worked on it, and his … He created many sophisticated pieces of art over the course of his career, and in the early 1500s, began work on what would come to be known as the Mona Lisa. Madam Lisa was now a celebrity, not due to Leornardo’s immense talent, but because a young Italian wanted to take her home. You are probably very familiar with this iconic painting called 'Mona Lisa' by Leonardo Da Vinci. He moved to rural France and abandoned the art of painting for the most … Peruggia admitted that he had simply lifted the masterpiece from the four hooks upon which it hung, stuck it under his workman's tunic, and just walked out the door of the Louvre. However, a note written in 1503 by Agostino Vespucci, an Italian clerk who was assistant to Niccolò Machiavelli, indicates that Leonardo told Vespucci he was indeed working on a painting of del Giocondo's wife. The French writer Théophile Gautier described her as a “strange being…her gaze promising unknown pleasures,” while others went on about her perfidious lips and enchanting smile. That act of irreverence caused a small scandal, and other cunning artists recognized that such a gag would bring them attention. Why is the Mona Lisa Painting Famous? "Why Is the Mona Lisa So Famous?" The French police blamed the Louvre for lax security, while the Louvre publicly ridiculed law enforcement officials for failing to turn up any leads. The identity of the portrait’s sitter soon became more intriguing. Many scholars, however, point out that the excellent quality of the Mona Lisa was not enough by itself to make the painting a celebrity. That the painting’s home is the Louvre, one of the world’s most-visited museums, is a fortuitous circumstance that has added to the work’s stature. Is Mona Lisa gloomy or happy? There is no doubt that the Mona Lisa is a very good painting. Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa sometime between 1503 and 1519. A very good painting by a famous artist are likely necessary factors for worldwide fame but are not sufficient factors on their own to explain the Mona Lisa’s vast fame. This painting is oil on panel and is 77 X 53 cm (Phaidon, 1994). Definition of Sfumato: Art History Glossary, Louvre Museum: History and Most Important Masterpieces, Biography of Leonardo da Vinci, Inventor and Artist of the Renaissance, Top 12 Greatest Visual Artists of All Time, Key Dates in Renaissance Philosophy, Politics, Religion, and Science, Biography of Francesco Clemente, Italian Neo-Expressionist Painter, La Bella Principessa by Leonardo da Vinci, Biography of Sandro Botticelli, Birth of Venus Painter, Alicja Zelazko of Encyclopedia Britannica, differences in spatial frequency perception, a Russian tourist flung a terra cotta mug. Instead, she is painted on a poplar wood panel. It is not a usual thing when people mention art and do not mention the painting of Mona Lisa. Over the years, there have been theories that Lisa Gherardini was not in fact the model in this painting. The Mona Lisa is one of the most famous and intriguing painting of all time. Throughout the centuries after his death, he was well regarded—but no more so than his esteemed contemporaries Michelangelo and Raphael. This painting is a favorite topic for research since ages. Some equate the fame to the enigma of the paining. It’s actually a fascinating story of flowery prose, robbery, and media hype. It is the most famous painting in the world, and yet, when viewers manage to see the artwork up close, they are likely to be baffled by the small subdued portrait of an ordinary woman. The word mona is a colloquial version of the Italian word for madam or ma'am, hence the title Mona Lisa. Considering that it was the theft of this painting that propped it into the limelight, one can say that it was more about luck than quality. Some scholars argue that Marcel Duchamp’s playful defacement of a postcard reproduction in 1919 brought attention back to the Mona Lisa and started a trend that would make the painting one of the most-recognized in the world. ", For centuries, the Mona Lisa hung quietly in the Louvre, generally unnoticed, but on August 21, 1911, it was stolen right off the museum's wall in a heist that rocked the art world. What’s the Difference Between Modern and Contemporary Art? Unlike some artwork of the sixteenth century, the Mona Lisa is a very realistic portrait of a very real human being. Marcel Duchamp took a postcard of Mona Lisa and added a mustache and a goatee. At the first sight, viewers feel she is happy but in next instant they sense, she is sad. One is moved, troubled ... repressed desires, hopes that drive one to despair, stir painfully." Da Vinci is renowned throughout the world for his different styles and works of art, but it is this famous painting that is still considered to be the most famous. In general, art historians agree that the Mona Lisa really is Lisa Gherardini. Five centuries after Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa (1503–19), the portrait hangs behind bulletproof glass within the Louvre Museum and draws thousands of jostling spectators each day. To understand why the Mona Lisa remains one of the art world's most iconic images, we have to look at her mysterious history, famous theft attempts, and innovative art techniques. Scholars also agree that Leonardo created more than one version of the Mona Lisa; in addition to the del Giocondo commission, there was likely a second commissioned by Giuliano de Medici in 1513.