Mona Lisa: 10 Secrets You Must Know
Mona Lisa has been the subject of fascination for hundreds of years. Her enigmatic smile and mysterious origins have captivated art historians and enthusiasts alike, making her one of the most famous paintings in history.
Here are 10 secrets, mysteries and facts about the Mona Lisa that you may not have known:
1. The identity of Mona Lisa remains a mystery. One of the most debated theories is that Mona Lisa is a real-life person, namely Lisa Gherardini, wife of Florentine silk merchant Francesco del Giocondo
2. The painting was done on poplar wood which has warped over time giving the painting its characteristic wrinkles.
3. Mona Lisa is the only painting in the world to have her own museum- The Musee du Louvre, Paris. It was devoted to her in 1911 and houses over 20 copies of the masterpiece as well as other works by Da Vinci.
4. Da Vinci worked on Mona Lisa for four years, but the painting was never finished.
5. The Mona Lisa had a mysterious history before it ended up in the Louvre- it was stolen from the museum in 1911 and wasn’t recovered until two years later.
6. It's believed that Da Vinci used his own face as a model for Mona Lisa, although there is no conclusive evidence to support this theory.
7. The iconic smile of the painting may have been painted by someone else- some experts believe that a pupil of Da Vinci’s was responsible for it.
8. The painting has been subjected to many scientific and technical analyses over the years. It was discovered that Da Vinci used a range of pigments and glazes that were not available during his lifetime, leading some to believe he had help in completing the painting.
9. Mona Lisa has inspired many other works of art, including poems, novels and movies. She is also referenced in popular songs such as ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ and ‘The Girl from Ipanema’.
10. In 2018, French scientists revealed that the Mona Lisa was painted with a blue pigment which had not been identified before. This discovery has opened up new possibilities for art conservation as well as further research into the painting's origins.
It's easy to see why the Mona Lisa has captivated the world for centuries with her secrets and mysteries. We may never know all of the answers, but we can be sure that this famous painting will keep us intrigued for many years to come!
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