Mona Lisa Painting: Unknown Facts, Secrets, History, and Mysteries Revealed"

Unknown Facts About the Mona Lisa Painting The Mona Lisa is considered the most expensive and mysterious painting in the world. It is one of the most searched paintings ever. Created by the famous painter Leonardo da Vinci, he started painting it in 1503 and took almost 14 years to complete it. This painting is known for its mysteries and has been widely discussed. Let's explore some lesser-known facts about the Mona Lisa that will surprise you.

It Took 12 Years to Paint Her Lips It is believed that "Mona Lisa" means "My Lady." This painting is not just a piece of art but a mystery in itself. One of the most fascinating aspects of this painting is its smile, which appears different from different angles. Many researchers have studied this painting because the smile seems to fade away gradually. It is also said that Leonardo da Vinci took 12 years just to paint Mona Lisa's lips. Completed in 14 Years It is believed that it took Leonardo da Vinci 14 years to complete this painting. He started working on it in 1503 and completed it around 1517. The painting consists of more than 30 layers of paint. Although the Mona Lisa appears large in images, it is actually quite small, measuring just 30 x 21 inches and weighing about 8 kilograms. A Man Took His Life for Mona Lisa A French man was so obsessed with the Mona Lisa's smile and beauty that he committed suicide on June 23, 1852, by jumping off a hotel roof in Paris. In his suicide note, he wrote that he was madly in love with Mona Lisa’s smile. Some people even write love letters and place flowers in front of the painting. The Theft of the Mona Lisa The Mona Lisa was not initially as famous as it is today. It gained widespread recognition after being stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. On August 21, 1911, its theft became a major incident. The first suspect was the famous painter Pablo Picasso, but he was later cleared of all charges. After an extensive search, it was discovered that the museum employee Vincenzo Peruggia had stolen the painting. He wanted to return it to Italy, believing it was Italy’s cultural heritage. After keeping it in Italy for some time, the painting was returned to the museum, and Peruggia was sentenced to six months in prison. However, many Italians considered him a patriot for his actions. The Twin Painting of Mona Lisa It is said that a student created an identical version of the Mona Lisa, which is now preserved in Madrid, Spain. Between 1514 and 1516, a nude version of Mona Lisa was also painted, known as "Monna Vanna," which has a similar body posture to the original painting. Mona Lisa Remains a Mystery The identity of the woman in the Mona Lisa painting remains a mystery to this day. Leonardo da Vinci was not only a painter but also a writer, yet he never documented anything about the painting or the woman depicted in it. Some researchers believe she was an Italian woman from Florence, while others speculate that Leonardo da Vinci painted himself in a female form. Attempts to Damage the Mona Lisa During World War II, the Mona Lisa was moved several times to prevent it from falling into German hands. Many attempts have been made to damage the painting. In 1956, a tourist threw a stone at it, leaving a mark on her elbow, which was later restored. In another incident, a person threw acid at the painting. After these incidents, the painting was placed inside a protective frame. More recently, a woman sprayed red paint on it. The Value of the Mona Lisa Currently, the Mona Lisa is valued at approximately 750 million dollars and is not insured under any policy. The Unique Painting Technique Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa on a panel made of poplar wood using oil paints. He used such fine brushwork that the brushstrokes are almost invisible to the naked eye. The painting consists of 30 layers of paint, with some layers being thin and others thicker. Facial Recognition Analysis of Mona Lisa’s Expression A facial recognition software once analyzed Mona Lisa’s expression and concluded that: 83% Happy 9% Disgusted 6% Fearful 2% Angry The Most Viewed Painting in the World The Mona Lisa is considered Leonardo da Vinci’s greatest masterpiece. Whenever there is a discussion about great artists, the Mona Lisa is always mentioned. It remains one of the most visited and admired paintings in the world.