Who is the Woman in the Mona Lisa?

 Who is the woman in “Mona Lisa”? Why is she smiling, or what’s with her smile? Is it really a person or just an imagination by Leonardo? These are some questions you will mostly hear when talking about Mona Lisa. Join me and let’s discover the secrets of this majestic piece of art. 

Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa is greatest and most famous painting in world. It was painted by the genius Leonardo da Vinci 500years before this present time. It was between 1503 or 1506 to be precise .He is always carrying it for the last 13 years of his life. But the question is who is the woman holding the beautiful smile? According to my research, Lisa del Giocondo, wife of Francisco del Giocondo a wealthy merchant, is the woman in the painting. She was a member of the Gherardini family of Florence and Tuscany. The painting is thought to have been commissioned for their new home and to celebrate the birth of their second son, Andrea. Her pose markedly upright with her arms folded. Her eyes/focus is on the observer with warm welcome in her eyes.  Leonardo use new technique in the Mona Lisa for his object to look alive he didn’t draw outline.

Others said that there is other person referred in the painting. Today the consensus of art historians is that the painting depicts Lisa del Gioncondo, which has always been the traditional view.  The title was believed to be from ma donna means my lady then became Mona. Lady Lisa in other word.  The reason why Leonardo paint her is because of Francisco her husband. Leonardo used a pyramid design to place the woman simply and calmly in the space of the painting. The painting originally has eyebrows and good quality but time passed by and it disappear gradually. The Mona Lisa has a vast landscape background of an icy mountain and land. He also use aerial perspective on making it, also he is one of those first painters to use this perspective. It was believed that Leonardo was influenced by the Chinese Paintings.

            FYI! Did you know that the Mona Lisa was once stolen and believe to be lost forever. They thought that it is with the photographers for marketing purposes. Then Beroud affroached the heads of security and it was confirmed that the painting was not with the photographers. The Louvre where it was display for five years was closed for an entire week for investigation. By that dark days it was believe that the painting will not be seen again. It was two years later when the true thief was discover.  Louvre employee:Vincenzo Peruggia had stolen it by entering the building during regular hours, hiding in a broom closet and walking out with it hidden under his coat after the museum had closed. He is an Italian patriot who believes that the painting must be in Italy and be displayed in an Italian museum. He was caught when he got impatient and tried to sell it to Uffizi Gallery. During World War II, the painting was again removed from the Louvre and taken safely, first to Château d'Amboise, then to the Loc-Dieu Abbey and Château de Chambord, then finally to the Ingres Museum in Montauban. 

Leonardo da Vinci

            There are many people saying that this painting have many secrets and mystery beneath it. Is there other reason of Leonardo why he paints it?