Camille, or anyone who may know, there has been so speculation over the years since the Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo DaVinci. Do you know who the model was? I heard many thoughts on this and even one that stated Leonardo himself was his own model. Does anyone know for sure who the model was?

I think that mystique of not knowing who the model was is what makes this artwork so famous besides her mischievous smile.

I've also heard that Leonardo DaVinci had painted himself. If I had to take an educated guess, that would be the explanation for the mischievous smile.

There is much speculation in regards to Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa."

Wikipedia Encyclopedia states:

"Mona Lisa is named for Lisa del Giocondo,a member of the Gherardini family of Florence and Tuscany and the wife of wealthy Florentine silk merchant Francesco del Giocondo."
"The painting was commissioned for their new home and to celebrate the birth of their second son, Andrea."

Even though it would be humorous to think Leonardo painted his own face into the painting, I think it is a portrait of Lisa del Giocondo.

I have heard that about Lisa del Giocondo also. I tend to agree with DragonCharmer that the mystique is what helped to make the painting so famous. Her smile does seem to be mischievious.

Has anyone here in the Forum actually seen the "Mona Lisa" in person?

I would love to hear about your experience.

Haven't seen it up close and in person but if memory serves me correctly (another little tid bit) it was missing for years during the war.

I myself would like to see her. That would be wonderful.

Didn't Napoleon keep the "Mona Lisa" in his bedroom?

Interesting!

That is very interesting and I would love to know if that was fact or just a spun tale.

I believe my son has seen the Mona Lisa in person. I will check with him and get back to you.

I never heard about Napolean keeping the painting in his bedroom. That would make a great article, Camille.

I have seen the 'Mona Lisa' in the Louvre (Paris) & plan to visit again this coming Spring. Only having limited time to try and encapsulate as much of the Louvre as possible, had about 5 minutes to view & snap pictures. I was taken by the size of the painting... I had imagined that it was much larger than the 30" x 20" presented on the large blank wall (made it seem even smaller). Coupled with the barriers keeping anyone from getting too close. It was the first stop upon entering the Louvre when it opened, so there was much more to see - 'Winged Victory', 'Venus De Milo', etc. Was a remarkable feeling to be that close to something that famous.

My son said he has not seen the Mona Lisa in person, but he did have this to say for us:

"I've seen lots of DaVinci's works in person though, at the Prado Museum in Spain, and at Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. Having seen all the greats in person though, I can say without any hesitation that the most amazing painting talent I have seen is Rembrandt. His paintings are almost like Polaroid snapshots. I'm really not an expert at all on paintings, but seeing Rembrandts work in person literally left me speechless. It doesn't seem possible that a human hand can do what he did.

My own favorite painter, though, is Carravagio. Very dark (literally and figuratively) but the emotion and way he depicts light and shadow is great."

One of my favorite paintings is by Leonardo da Vinci.
It is actually his only painting in the U.S.

It is called "Ginevra de' Benci," (1474/1478) and it can be seen at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Once when I was there a woman said that she had also seen the "Mona Lisa" and she felt that "Ginevra" was more beautiful.

What do you think?

The face is far more beautiful than Mona Lisa, but, more austere. Mona Lisa has that little smile that endears her to everyone.

Ginervra de' Benci

da Vinci's work is amazingly beautiful.

Phyllis, thank you for the visual of Ginevra.

I am partial to her being my favorite of the two.

She has a slight blush on the cheeks, shiny curls, and the sheerest material on the top of her dress.

She is very peaceful and calming to look at.

Yes, she is. She is very feminine. A "girly girl" as my daughter would say. Mona Lisa is lovely, and very beautiful in her simplicity. For aesthetic reasons, I think Ginervra is my favorite.

Both are beautiful depictions of lovely women from that age.

I have the "Mona Lisa" in my living room! LOL Although I will agree that the other, Ginerva, is much prettier. (Much more delicate.)

I will also agree with Phyllis-Corvaggio is my favorite as well. (I am partial to the Baroque period, myself.)
His artwork is just like looking at a picture to me, for he captures the essence of the moment in exquisite detail.)

There is a painting that he did entitled "Judith and Holofernes"(1598.) Artemisia Gentileschi painted her own entitled "Judith Decapitating Holofernes" (1620.) Both capture the same moment, however there are some differences. The detail in both are incredible and Gentileschi "follows" Coravaggio in that she uses a dark background, but I believe she captures the moment far better than Corvaggio does. Gentileschi's painting is a bit "softer" if you will, whereas Coravaggio's is painting is a much "sharper image." (Both are incredible)

Would you agree?
Judith and Helefernes/Coravaggio

Judith Decapitating Helefernes/ Gentileschi


At any period of time I still can't imagine how these artists painted these pictures...their talent is unimaginable!)

I would like to add that Toulouse Lautrec is another favorite. (His artistry alone makes me want to visit Paris!)

I recently went to the Met in NYC not too long ago. Unfortunately I did not get to see any paintings as I was focused mainly on ancient Mesopotamian, Greek and Roman art. I plan on going again so that I may view the paintings, which I missed on my last visit.

I try to visit the National Gallery of Art in DC when I can, and made a visit about two years ago. However,many years ago I took my then three year old daughter to see some early works of Picasso. They were quite unlike what we are familiar with in connection with his name and works. (Many of the items we saw were mostly drawings if my memory doesn't deceive me, and quite honestly really nothing stood out.)
However, while we were there, my baby daughter and I, I asked her opinion about she was viewing. And, as always "out of the mouth of babes" she gave it "the raspberry." LOL

Since we're on the subject of Caravaggio, he is also one of my favorite artists.

Has anyone read the book, "The Lost Painting"?

It is "the quest for a Caravaggio masterpiece" by Jonathan Harr.

Mona Lisa , NOT gOD, BUT A real person.

I saw the picture in Louvre long, long ago. Even then you couldn't get very close to it and it was surprisingly small. I also found it odd actually to see the original of such a famous image.

Since it's also called La Gioconda, it makes sense that the portrait is of Lisa del Giocondo.

I've never seen her smile as mischievous, it looks a bit to me like the smile of someone who has a happy secret that they're enjoying, but neither telling the secret nor flaunting the happiness.