Who painted the Mona Lisa?

The world's most famous portrait, the Mona Lisa, was painted by the iconic Italian Renaissance artist, Leonardo da Vinci. This masterpiece, a half-length oil painting on a poplar wood panel, is believed to have been started around 1503 in Florence and may have been worked on intermittently until as late as 1517, or even until Leonardo's death in 1519. It stands as a testament to da Vinci's extraordinary skill and is considered an archetypal example of the Italian Renaissance.

The subject of this renowned artwork is widely believed to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo, which is why the painting is also known as La Gioconda. Leonardo's innovative use of "sfumato," a technique that creates soft, hazy transitions between colors and tones, is particularly evident in her enigmatic smile, which has captivated viewers for centuries. This artistic choice contributes to the painting's atmospheric illusionism and the subtle modeling of forms, making her expression seem to shift depending on the viewer's perspective.

After Leonardo's death, the Mona Lisa was acquired by King Francis I of France and eventually became part of the French royal collection. Since 1797, it has been a permanent display at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it continues to be one of the most visited artworks in the world. Its immense global fame was further solidified by its sensational theft in 1911, an event that generated unprecedented publicity and cemented its status as a cultural icon. Today, the Mona Lisa remains a powerful symbol of artistic achievement and intrigue, drawing millions of visitors annually.