Mona Lisa

3/17/2013
Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is an extremely sought after and recognized painting. It was painted by the famous Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci between the years of 1503-1506 from what historians believe. The painting standing only 30 inches by 21 inches is a portrait of a woman, on poplar panels done with oil acrylic. This piece created a lot of ground breaking techniques for the period in which it was painted for the art world. It was said that there was a possibility this piece was at first a commission piece of Lisa Gherardini who was the wife of a famous businessman in Florence. Some also believe it was a self portrait of the painter himself as feminine. He supposedly never finished the commission and traveled with the painting to show off his talent. Da vinci painted her in a three quarter pose which established a new style of poses that we still use to this day. Most portraits were silhouettes or full figured with very prominent backgrounds in the 15th century, a difference that makes the painting visually appealing is her arms and body at the lower half of the painting create the base or heavier part of a pyramid that points up to the angelic face of the mysterious gaze of the lady. Leonardo created the technique called 'sfumato' as well which in italian means blended, this technique was a new way to layer translucent color to create depth, volume, and form. Sfumato creates a very smokey background in the painting almost as if you get a sense of movement. Another thing to look for when looking at this painting is realizing that the background on either side of Lisa is at different horizon points and two different landscapes and how it slowly gets more hazy as it gets farther made it one of the first portraits ever to use an imaginary landscape. Not only does this painting symbolize inventions of new painting techniques, it also has other meanings as well. In 1516 king Francois of France bought the Mona Lisa, later after the French Revolution the painting became property of the French Republic. In 1625 an English Duke tried acquiring the painting for his country, but was appealed to the French. It was with Napoleon for a short period in his bedroom, than it was put up on display at museum The Louvre in the 1650's. This painting's popularity greeting increased in popularity come the symbolist movement, it was thought the painting embodied a sort of feminine mystique. It was stolen in 1911, the public were shocked and outraged but thankfully it was found and returned in 1913. This painting has also been seen as a pop icon on T shirts as well as many other novelty toys, because it is know as the most celebrated painting in the world. I personally understand why after researching about this painting, for being so small it established a new pose. This painting has made a true impact to the art world. It also has been in the hands of so many different royal people, and desired by different countries. As well as the gaze in general, her smile. She really embodies beauty and poise. The Mona Lisa is a symbol of desire, invention of techniques, and sheer femininity. Which give it no reason why it still today is one of the most visited works of art in the world.