On the 21st of August 1911, a bustling Monday morning in the vibrant city of Paris, something extraordinary occurred. As office-goers hurried to their workplaces, three mysterious figures emerged from the hallowed halls of the Louvre Museum. These three individuals had spent the previous night concealed within the museum’s walls, and now they were making a hasty exit, carrying an invaluable item from the Louvre, hidden beneath a nondescript blanket. Their destination? A nearby railway station, where they boarded a train at precisely 8:45 in the morning, vanishing into obscurity. Little did the world know that a heist of one of the most renowned paintings in history had just taken place – the enigmatic and iconic Mona Lisa.
Today, the Mona Lisa is valued at nearly $1 billion, but what is the secret to its unparalleled fame? What mysteries are concealed within this remarkable work of art? To comprehend the allure of the Mona Lisa, we must first explore the life of the mastermind behind it – the extraordinary Italian artist, scientist, and polymath, Leonardo da Vinci.
Leonardo da Vinci’s genius extended far beyond painting. He was a visionary, an engineer, a scientist, a sculptor, an architect, and a theorist. His vast knowledge spanned a multitude of disciplines, including painting, cartography, astronomy, anatomy, botany, hydrology, geology, optics, and even paleontology. A detailed exploration of his life would be an adventure in itself, but for now, let’s focus on his most celebrated creation – the Mona Lisa.
One of the enduring mysteries surrounding the Mona Lisa is the identity of the woman depicted in the painting. The first revelation regarding her identity came from Italian artist Giorgio Vasari, who, in 1550, penned an autobiography of Leonardo da Vinci. According to Vasari, the woman was Lisa Gherardini, who was married to Francesco Giocondo, a silk trader from Florence. Vasari suggested that Francesco had commissioned the painting of his wife, providing the origins of the painting’s names. The name “Mona Lisa” is derived from “Madonna Lisa,” with “Madonna” traditionally signifying “Madam” in Italian. “Madonna Lisa” eventually evolved into “Monna Lisa” in Italian, and when this was anglicized, “Mona Lisa” emerged as the famous appellation. Additionally, she is known as “La Gioconda,” signifying “joyful” or “light-hearted” in Italian, which was an apt a of Lisa Gherardini’s disposition. This name was adopted in France as “La Joconde.” Despite Vasari’s disclosure, there were numerous theories and speculations regarding the woman’s identity. Some suggested that the painting was a portrayal of Leonardo da Vinci’s mother, a queen from Italian aristocracy, or even a self-portrait of Da Vinci in the guise of a woman. The latter theory, suggesting that the Mona Lisa was not a woman at all, persisted for a while, but modern research has provided substantial evidence confirming that the woman in the painting is indeed Lisa Gherardini. A Florence-based professor conducted extensive research for 25 years, unearthing archives and evidence that solidified Lisa’s identity and the connections between her family and the da Vinci family. It is likely that the painting was not commissioned by Lisa’s husband but by Leonardo’s father.
Furthermore, Mona Lisa’s age is a subject of intrigue. When the painting was created in 1503, Lisa Gherardini was approximately 24 years old. The timing of the painting is speculated to be linked to either Lisa and Francesco’s purchase of a home in 1503 or the birth of their second son in December 1502. The latter seems more plausible, particularly considering the tragic loss of Lisa’s daughter in 1499. An intriguing detail in the painting is the veil covering Lisa’s hair, which some interpret as a mourning veil worn by those who have experienced a family loss.
So, why is the Mona Lisa, an Italian masterpiece, displayed in France? This can be attributed to an invitation extended to Leonardo da Vinci by King Francis I of France in 1516. Leonardo decided to leave Italy and relocated to France, taking the Mona Lisa with him. Although historical records are somewhat ambiguous, it is believed that he had not completed the painting by that time.
One of the most captivating aspects of the Mona Lisa is its enigmatic smile, which has intrigued observers for centuries. To achieve this subtle, mysterious expression, da Vinci employed a unique painting style known as “Sfumato,” which involves skillful blending. The background of the painting, depicting the Arno Valley in Italy, seamlessly melds with the image of Mona Lisa. This technique, which blurs boundaries and features a seamless blending of colors, creates the impression that there are no clear outlines between the background and the subject. It is this meticulous attention to detail that brings the Mona Lisa’s smile to life. When closely examined, her smile may appear enigmatic and almost flat. However, when observed from a peripheral view, her smile seems to subtly change. This effect is due to da Vinci’s unparalleled understanding of facial muscles, light, and shadow. In fact, he spent extensive time dissecting facial muscles, even resorting to studying horses for comparison, all to perfect the Mona Lisa’s smile.
But here’s a fascinating revelation: there isn’t just one Mona Lisa; there are two. The story of the second Mona Lisa began in 1504 when another renowned artist, Raphael, created a preliminary sketch. This sketch significantly differs from the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, featuring two columns in the background. Initially, it was believed that Raphael had based his drawing on the Mona Lisa painting. However, in 1993, a German art historian disproved this theory. Instead, it was discovered that Raphael lived across from the Giocondo family in Florence, possibly indicating that another Mona Lisa served as the inspiration for Raphael’s drawing. In 1914, a novelist residing near London, John R. Eyre, introduced a new version of the Mona Lisa, which aligned with Raphael’s drawing. This “second” Mona Lisa is distinct from the one displayed at the Louvre. It presents a younger-looking subject, a slightly tilted head, and a more straightforward and unambiguous expression, devoid of the enigmatic smile. This discovery has led to a theory suggesting that Leonardo da Vinci worked on two versions of the Mona Lisa. The Isleworth Mona Lisa, which was discovered later, is considered to be the first iteration, reflecting da Vinci’s experimental style during the painting’s early stages.
As for the theft of the Mona Lisa, it was orchestrated by Vincenzo Peruggia, an employee at the Louvre Museum. He concealed himself within the museum overnight, then made off with the painting in the morning. Peruggia believed that, as an Italian creation, the Mona Lisa should be returned to Italy. The audacious theft grabbed global headlines, and detectives were deployed in search of the elusive thief. However, Peruggia successfully concealed the painting for two years, pondering his next move. He ultimately attempted to sell the artwork in Florence to art dealer Giovanni Poggi. Suspicion arose, and when Poggi examined the painting’s stamp, he made a stunning discovery – he was in possession of the most sought-after item in the world. Vincenzo was apprehended, and the Mona Lisa was restored to
the Louvre. Today, the painting is showcased behind bulletproof glass in a climate-controlled environment with precise humidity and temperature controls.
Curiously, the theft of the Mona Lisa inadvertently contributed to its rise in global popularity. Before the theft, it was not as widely known among the general public. It was only afterward that the Mona Lisa became a symbol of art and intrigue, attracting visitors from around the world.
In conclusion, the Mona Lisa remains an enigmatic masterpiece, attributed to the genius of Leonardo da Vinci and shrouded in mystery regarding its subject, Lisa Gherardini. This iconic painting, with its timeless allure, continues to captivate the world and is celebrated for its artistry and the secrets hidden within its subtle details.
Fifteen years elapsed since the commencement of the painting, during which Leonardo da Vinci relentlessly worked to enhance and perfect it. However, in the year 1519, the world lost the brilliant artist when he passed away while residing in the French palace. The painting remained in the possession of the king and became a cherished part of his Royal Collection.
Approximately 150 years later, in 1797, a significant historical event, the French Revolution, unfolded. This tumultuous period saw the Mona Lisa removed from the royal palace and placed under the care of the Louvre Museum, where it resides to this day.
An intriguing detail lies at the heart of the Mona Lisa’s history: the painting’s theft in 1911. I discussed this event at the outset of our exploration. Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian Nationalist, masterminded this audacious heist, carried out with the assistance of two accomplices. Peruggia’s motivation was rooted in his belief that the Mona Lisa rightfully belonged to Italy, not France. Following the theft, they transported the painting to Italy, a daring endeavor, particularly considering the artwork’s immense value, reaching into the millions of dollars. Predictably, Vincenzo could not have felt secure after orchestrating such a high-stakes theft.
Now, let’s return to the narrative of Vincenzo, the Italian nationalist, and explore the events that followed. But before delving into that, let’s delve into the distinctive characteristics that make the Mona Lisa a work of unparalleled significance.
Firstly, the Mona Lisa is not rendered on paper, canvas, or fabric, as is customary for paintings. Instead, Leonardo da Vinci employed poplar wood as the canvas. During the era in which he created this masterpiece, poplar wood was the favored medium of Italian painters.
Secondly, the painting is relatively small in size, as exemplified by photographs that depict its placement in the museum. The dimensions of the Mona Lisa are a mere 77 cm by 53 cm. Despite its modest proportions, it holds an extraordinary distinction: it was among the first paintings in Italy of its time to feature an incredibly detailed and close-up portrayal of an individual. This constitutes a half-length portrait, a style akin to contemporary portrait photography but unconventional for its era.
A notable aspect of the Mona Lisa’s visual composition is its predominant use of brown and yellow hues, resulting in a somewhat subdued appearance. It exhibits a peculiarly yellowish tone, which, at one point, led a professor to speculate that Lisa depicted a patient with high cholesterol. This coloration can be attributed to two factors. Firstly, a protective varnish was applied to shield the painting from the harmful effects of humidity and moisture, considering its wooden canvas. Secondly, the passage of time led to a gradual bleaching effect, causing the painting to lose some of its original vibrancy.
To further grasp the Mona Lisa’s magnetic quality, it is crucial to understand Leonardo da Vinci’s innovative painting technique known as “Sfumato,” which hinges on masterful blending. The painting’s background, featuring the picturesque Arno Valley in Italy, seamlessly merges with the image of the Mona Lisa. Da Vinci’s approach eliminates clear boundaries between the background and the subject, with instances where Mona Lisa’s hair blends harmoniously with the landscape. The blurred lines and melded colors epitomize the Sfumato technique and play a pivotal role in creating the enigmatic smile that has intrigued countless observers. If you closely scrutinize Mona Lisa’s smile, you may find it appears quite serious upon detailed inspection. Yet, when you shift your focus to her eyes, the smile appears to subtly intensify. This optical illusion arises from the meticulous application of the Sfumato technique, underpinned by da Vinci’s deep understanding of facial muscles, light, and shadow.
Leonardo da Vinci’s relentless pursuit of perfection extended to the study of human anatomy, particularly the facial muscles and nerves responsible for crafting a smile. He spent many nights dissecting cadavers in a Florence hospital to unravel the secrets of the human smile, emphasizing the multitude of muscles in the human lip area. In his notes, he recorded that “the muscles which move the lips are more numerous in man than in any other animal.” Dissecting these intricate facial muscles was a formidable task due to their small size and multiplicity. To gain deeper insights, da Vinci even examined horses, comparing their facial expressions to those of humans. His obsession with perfecting the Mona Lisa’s smile went to the extent of delving into optics. He deduced that light rays do not converge into a single point on the human retina, instead dispersing across its surface. The central region, known as the Fovea, is responsible for processing fine details, while the surrounding areas are attuned to shadows and black-and-white imagery. Armed with this knowledge, he subtly adjusted the shadows in such a way that even when you view the Mona Lisa in your peripheral vision, her smile continues to have an effect. The central line of her smile appears relatively flat when observed up close, thus creating the impression of a neutral expression. However, when considering the shadows applied using the Sfumato technique, they evoke a smile perception when viewed peripherally.
Unveiling a captivating revelation, it is not a single Mona Lisa but two. This revelation is grounded in historical fact rather than conspiracy theory. The story of the second Mona Lisa commenced in 1504 when another renowned artist, Raphael, created a preliminary sketch with pen and ink. This sketch significantly diverged from the well-known Mona Lisa displayed at the Louvre. The crucial distinction was the presence of two columns in the background of Raphael’s sketch, deviating from the conventional Mona Lisa’s background. The insightful work of a German art historian in 1993 discredited the notion that Raphael had based his drawing on the original Mona Lisa. Instead, it was established that Raphael had lived across from the Giocondo family in Florence, potentially inspiring the drawing. It was only in 1914 that a writer residing near London, John R. Eyre, introduced another rendition of the Mona Lisa, aligning with Raphael’s drawing. Termed the “Isleworth Mona Lisa,” this distinct version presents a younger, differently posed subject with a more straightforward, unambiguous expression, devoid of the iconic enigmatic smile. This discovery has led to a compelling theory suggesting that Leonardo da Vinci may have worked on two versions of the Mona Lisa, with the Isleworth Mona Lisa representing an earlier stage in the painting’s evolution.
In summary, the Mona Lisa is an enduring masterpiece, attributed to the genius of Leonardo da Vinci and veiled in the mystery surrounding its subject, Lisa Gherardini. This iconic painting, with its timeless appeal, continues to captivate the world and is celebrated for its artistry and the secrets concealed within its subtle intricacies.
A striking disparity becomes evident when we examine Raphael’s sketch alongside the Mona Lisa. Notably, Raphael’s sketch features two columns situated behind Mona Lisa, initially prompting the belief that Raphael had fashioned his drawing based on the Mona Lisa painting. Nevertheless, this assumption was dispelled by a German art historian in 1993. Professor Pallanti, the dedicated researcher whose work I previously mentioned, offered a compelling revelation. He unearthed evidence that Raphael had resided directly opposite the Giocondo family in Florence. This raises an astonishing possibility: Did Raphael create an entirely distinct painting on the same subject, with the same woman and identical pose? The prospect seems almost incredulous.
However, an alternative explanation emerges, suggesting the existence of another Mona Lisa painting that inspired Raphael’s drawing. This second Mona Lisa came to light in 1914 through the efforts of John R. Eyre, a novelist residing in the vicinity of London. Eyre introduced a new rendition of the Mona Lisa, which served as the basis for Raphael’s sketch. This second Mona Lisa diverges from the Louvre’s iconic version in several aspects. Firstly, the woman portrayed in this newly discovered version appears notably younger. Secondly, the positioning of her head tilts slightly forward, creating a nuanced difference. Most conspicuously, the expressions exhibited by this new Mona Lisa are unequivocal and devoid of the enigmatic smile that characterizes the Louvre’s Mona Lisa. The two columns in the background align with those seen in Raphael’s drawing.
Consequently, experts put forth a theory that Leonardo da Vinci may have been working on two distinct renditions of the Mona Lisa. Both of these paintings are attributed to da Vinci’s hand. The Isleworth Mona Lisa, unveiled later, is considered the initial version of da Vinci’s work, reflecting an experimental phase where the subject appears more youthful than in the other painting. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that this theory remains a subject of ongoing debate, and no definitive evidence has conclusively validated either perspective.
Shifting our focus back to the theft of the Mona Lisa, an astonishing revelation came to light. The mastermind behind this audacious theft was none other than Vincenzo Peruggia, an employee at the Louvre Museum. He ingeniously concealed himself within the museum one night, later emerging in the morning with the painting in his possession. Peruggia firmly believed that this masterpiece, created by the Italian Leonardo da Vinci, rightfully belonged in an Italian museum. Upon news of the theft spreading worldwide, the heist became a sensation, captivating the global media. In response, numerous detectives embarked on a relentless quest to apprehend the thief, but their efforts proved futile.
Peruggia maintained the painting in secrecy within his home for a duration of two years, pondering his next course of action. Growing impatient and contemplating how to profit from this immensely sought-after artwork, he attempted to sell it to an art dealer in Florence, Giovanni Poggi. Upon closer inspection, Giovanni Poggi grew suspicious and verified the painting’s authenticity using a stamp, confirming that it was, indeed, the stolen masterpiece. Vincenzo Peruggia’s audacious act ultimately led to his capture and a subsequent six-month prison sentence.
The painting was subsequently returned to its rightful place at the Louvre Museum and restored on January 4, 1914. Today, it is displayed within the museum behind bulletproof glass and under meticulously controlled environmental conditions. The climate is rigorously maintained at 50% humidity with a temperature range between 18°C to 21°C.
Ironically, one of the most fascinating aspects of this narrative is that the Mona Lisa’s widespread recognition and fame commenced in earnest only after its theft. Before this infamous incident, the Mona Lisa was not particularly renowned among the general public. While art enthusiasts were familiar with it, the painting had not achieved the global recognition it enjoys today. Consequently, when you visit the Louvre Museum and witness the bustling crowds surrounding the Mona Lisa, you can attribute this surge in popularity to the audacity of Vincenzo Peruggia.
