Why Mona Lisa Painting is so famous?
Mona Lisa painting is created by the Italian Artist Leonardo da Vinci. It is a half length portrait painting. Actual size of Mona Lisa painting is 30” x 21” (Height 77 cm x Width 53 cm) and it is made in oil art medium on poplar panel. It is the Masterpiece portrait painting of Italian Renaissance and considered as one of the most famous paintings of world.
The subject of the painting Mona Lisa is believed to be the Italian noblewoman Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo. Francesco’s family members were art lovers.
In 1503, Francesco wanted to get his wife’s portrait done to celebrate their new home and also the birth of their second child Andrea. So, he gave commission to Leonardo da Vinci for his wife portrait painting. In the same year, Leonardo da Vinci received commission for the painting “The Battle of Anghiari”, which was more valuable commission and the contract was to complete the painting by Feb 1505. Because of his financial difficulties, Leonardo da Vinci had to delay Mona Lisa Painting to complete “The battle of Anghiari”.
In 1506, the artist considered the portrait as unfinished and he was also not paid for his work, so he did not deliver it. Da Vinci used to carry his paintings wherever he traveled and it is assumed that he might have completed the painting in France in the year of 1516.
Popularity
By 20th century, Mona Lisa painting became so popular that it has used in 300 other paintings, in many different advertisement. It is the most visited (6 million people every day) art in the world.
Novel Qualities of the painting:
- Leonardo da Vinci invented and used many different techniques to make Mona Lisa Portrait.
2. His greatest innovation in the painting was relaxed, informal and three-quarter pose of the subject. Although Mona Lisa Painting Seems Common for us in current days, it was revolutionary in early 16th In those times, portraits were stiff, contrive and mainly consist of profiles. This style established a new style of portrait painting.
3. And the Pyramidal composition in the portrait is also the first technique used by the artist. If we notice the wide base of the painting, it appears heavier than the top portion of the painting. Mona Lisa’s hands form the front corner of the pyramid. And the eyes draw to the top of the pyramid has a great expression in which it is often referred as enigmatic.
4. Leonardo da Vinci coined a term “Sfumato” (Italian for “blended”) for explaining his techniques. He used this unique technique to create sense of harmony between the Sitter and the Landscape. And his techniques were widely imitated by many master artists later that time.
Where Is Mona Lisa Painting Now?
In 16th century Mon Lisa painting was acquired by King Francis. Since then it is in France custody. The portrait painting became the property of French Republic after French Revolution. Since 1979, the portrait painting is at the “Louvre Museum in Paris” on Permanent Display.
What is the financial worth of the portrait Mona Lisa?
Mona Lisa is one of the most valuable paintings in the world. In 1962-1963, the painting was assessed for insurance at US$100 (Equivalent to US$850 in 2019).
Leonardo da Vinci’s Image reference:
By Francesco Melzi – File :Francesco_Melzi_-_Portrait_of_Leonardo_-_WGA14795.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78645105.