Da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa between 1503 and 1506, possibly continuing to work on it until around 1517. He used a technique that involved gently mixing colours to create a lifelike appearance, which made the painting seem almost alive. It features a woman believed to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy Italian man. The woman’s direct stare and mysterious smile capture viewers and add to the painting’s charm. At first, the Mona Lisa did not get much attention, but its fame grew after Francis I, King of France, bought it in 1519 and displayed it in his palace. The Louvre Museum then acquired it in 1797. An Italian thief stole the painting in 1911, catching worldwide media attention before its return in 1913. Over the years, it has not only become a symbol of art but has also inspired numerous references in popular culture and the digital environment. Today, as one of the most famous artworks in the world, the Mona Lisa attracts millions of visitors to the Louvre Museum.