Explanation:The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci is possibly the world’s most famous and recognized painting.
It has attracted people’s attention for hundreds of years and since being on display in Le Louvre it has drawn guests from all across the world to admire it in real life.
But why are we so obsessive over one painting? What is it about the Mona Lisa smile that draws the attention of thousands of people?
Here are 5 fascinating facts about the Mona Lisa that will leave you wanting to know more, or even see it for yourself.When visitors travel afar to see the Mona Lisa, quite often they are expecting a largely epic painting but the painting is only 30 x 20 Inches (77 x 53 centimeters).
This is partially to do with our ability to view things online before seeing it in person.
This ability means that we end up looking at the painting out of context, which leads to us making assumptions of its size.This might sound like a hoax, but really it isn’t her name.
It is thought that the lady displayed in the painting was Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy Italian man named Francesco del Giocondo.
History indicates that he commissioned the work to Leonardo Da Vinci in 1503.
The piece was titled Mona Lisa, which roughly translates to mean “My lady Lisa”, but it was never completed.
Da Vinci died in 1516, therefore the painting was handed to his assistant, having not finished the painting himself before his death.
It is unsure exactly who is in the portrait, this is just one of many theories.The Mona Lisa has been passed from one owner to another throughout the years, but it has only ever been stolen once.
This was on August 21st, 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from its permanent resting place in Le Louvre, Paris, France.The theft remained a mystery for 2 years, as it was difficult to track down where she had gone.
As a result, journalists and the media created huge campaigns to make sure the Mona Lisa smile was imprinted on the public’s minds to make sure everyone was on the lookout.
It wasn’t until November 1913 in Florence that the Mona Lisa was found.
The painting had been offered to art dealer Alfredo Geri, by a man named Vincenzo Peruggia.
Geri, accepted the offer and notified the police so it could be returned to Le Louvre.
