Leonardo da Vinci spent four years painting his most famous work, the Mona Lisa, between 1503-1506, which became the top attraction at the Louvre museum in Paris where it resides, though it was famously stolen in 1911 before being recovered two years later. The small 30x21 oil painting on poplar wood depicts a woman, possibly the wife of a merchant who commissioned the portrait, and is renowned for Leonardo's artistic skill and the subject's mysterious smile.

1. Leonardo and the MONA LISA
Leonardo da Vinci was a genius. He was a painter, philosopher, scientist, and inventor. He
invented the parachute in 1480, sketched a design for a submarine and made detailed studies of
the human anatomy. He believed that sight was the most important of the senses and he
carefully studied the world around him, keeping detailed notes of what he saw. Strangely
enough, he wrote his notes backwards, so that they must be held to a mirror to be read.
Leonard wouldn’t settle for a painting that was less than perfect. He would spend
years working on a single painting, so he didn’t produce many works. In fact, only 17 of his
paintings have survived, and some of these are not finished.
Leonardo spent four years painting “The Mona Lisa”. It’s his most famous painting-in
fact, it’s the most famous painting in the world. You’ve probably seen “The Mona Lisa” before-in
advertisements or on tee shirts.
No one is sure who the model for “The Mona Lisa” was. She’s thought to have been
the wife of a merchant named Francesco del Giocondo, so the painting is more correctly known
as The Gioconda.
What’s so special about “The Mona Lisa”? Many things. It’s a skillful painting that
demonstrates Leonardo’s talent as an artist. It’s also an eerie combination of a real-looking
woman against a fairytale background. Especially, it’s that mystic smile - a hint of a smile that’s
kept people talking for nearly 500 years.
If “The Mona Lisa” were the only painting that Leonardo painted, the artist would still
be called a genius.
Leonard Da Vinci painted “The Mona Lisa” between the years 1503-1506. It has
become the top attraction of visitors to the Louvre museum in Paris, France. There are many
facts about the painting that most people do not know.

2. “The Mona Lisa” is only 30x21 which is quite small. It is painted with oils on a poplar wooden
panel. The true identity of the Mona Lisa is a mystery but most experts believe it was the wife of
a 16-century Italian businessman, who commissioned the portrait.
In 1517 Leonardo was invited to live in France by King Francis I. After the king
purchased it from Leonardo it became a part of France’s royal collection and that is how it got
into the Louvre.
Not many people know that the “Mona Lisa” was stolen. On, Monday, the 21st of
August 1911 it was taken from the Louvre. The museum employees did notice that the painting
was not hanging in its usual place but they assumed the painting was taken by the museum
photographer to his studio for shooting. When it wasn’t returned the next morning and wasn’t
found in the photographer’s studio, museum officials were notified that the painting was stolen.
After the police were notified the whole museum was searched, which took a week
because the Louvre covers 49 acres and runs along the Seine River for 2,200 feet. The only thing
found was the heavy frame that once held the Mona Lisa. It was found in a staircase leading to a
cloakroom.
Once the news became public, French newspapers made several claims as to the
nature of the theft. One newspaper proclaimed that an American collector stole the work and
would have an exact copy made which would be returned to the museum. This collector would
then keep the original. Another newspaper said that the entire incident was a hoax to show how
easy it was to steal from the Louvre.

3. Many people were questioned about the theft. Pablo Picasso was questioned. He had bought
two stone sculptures from a friend named Pieret. Pieret had stolen these from the Louvre
months before the Mona Lisa was stolen. Picasso though the perhaps Pieret might have stolen
the Mona Lisa. Picasso gave back the sculptures back to the Louvre once he found out they were
stolen and was cleared of knowing anything about the theft.
Twenty seven months after the “Mona Lisa” was stolen it was recovered. An Italian
man named Vincenzo Perugia tried to sell it for $100,000 to the Uffizi Gallery. He said he stole it
out of patriotism. He didn’t believe such a famous Italian work of art should be in France. What
Perugia didn’t know was that it was sold to King Francis I for 4,000 gold coins by Leonardo
himself, so it rightfully belonged to the French people.
Perugia stole the Mona Lisa by spending the night before hiding in an obscure little
room. In the morning while the museum was closed he took the painting from the wall. In a
staircase he cut the painting from it’s frame. He came upon a locked door on his way out and
removed the doorknob to leave the Louvre.
Ten months before the painting was stolen the Louvre decided to have all
masterpieces put under glass and Perugia was one of the men assigned to the job.
In 1974 the Japanese Government encased the Mona Lisa in a 157x98 inch box of
triplex bulletproof glass. This box is kept at a constant 68 degrees and 55% humidity by a built in
air conditioner. Each year the Mona Lisa’s box is given a check up to make sure it is working
properly.

5. Instructions for “Mona”Portrait
1. Review the examples of the Mona Lisa.
2. Using the line drawing as a guide,
create a “Mona Lisa” in another style
than “Realism”.
3.Review the examples following these
instructions.
4.You can paint or drawing your “Mona”,
but your medium should match the style.
5.Label the style you used.