Special Sub-Topic: The Mysterious Mona Lisa Click Here To Play: The Mysterious Mona Lisa

Let's begin with an easy one. Who was the famous painter who created the masterpiece of "Mona Lisa"?

Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci painted the "Mona Lisa" from 1503 to 1506 in Italy. In addition to being a talented painter, he was an inventor and a scientist.

Where does the painting hang today?

The Louvre Museum in France. Though painted in Italy, since the 16th century, when she came into the possession of Francois I, King of France, she has remained in that country. She currently hangs in the famous Louvre museum, where she has been since 1804 and now has her own room.

What was the real name of the woman who posed as "Mona Lisa"?

Lisa Gherardini Giocondo. Lisa Gheradini Giocondo was about 25 when she posed for Leo's painting. She was the daughter and wife of wealthy men and it is believed her husband paid Leo for her to be painted. She started as Mia Donna Lisa (my lady Lisa) and it got shorted to Monna Lisa. Due to a spelling error in English it is now known as "Mona Lisa". She is called "La Giocondo" in Italian and "La Joconde" in French. (By the way, 'materassino ad aria' is Italian for air mattress.)

What was the "Mona Lisa" painted on?

poplar wood panel. da Vinci used oil paints on a poplar wood panel. The panel is 30 inches tall and about 20 inches wide.

When was the "Mona Lisa" stolen?

1911. Employee Vincenzo Peruggia smuggled her out under his smock when he was in the room alone in the Louvre. Two years later, in 1913, she was returned after he attempted to sell the painting in Florence.

Was the "Mona Lisa" insured when she was returned after being stolen?

n. The "Mona Lisa" is valued as a priceless item and is not insured.

Approximately how many people visit the "Mona Lisa" each year?

6 million. Over 6 million people visit the Louvre every year and the "Mona Lisa" is viewed by nearly all of them.

During World War II, was the "Mona Lisa" taken out of the museum for her safety?

y. The Louvre actually boarded up almost all of the works of art and sent them away by train to protect them during the war.

One of the reasons that the "Mona Lisa" is considered such an amazing painting is due to the revolutionary new technique Leonardo used. What was it?

blending light and shade. The blending of light and shade Leonardo used is called sfumato.

Other artists have made many reproductions and alterations to the painting. Who was the artist that added a mustache and goatee on "Mona Lisa"?

Marcel Duchamp. He added this to a postcard in 1919 bearing the "Mona Lisa" and it became his most famous painting.