Mona Lisa (La Gioconda)
Painting on poplar panel • Leonardo da Vinci
Style & Movement
High Renaissance
Medium & Technique
Oil paint, utilizing sfumato (smoky transitions) and chiaroscuro (contrast between light and dark) through multiple thin glazes.
Creation Period
c. 1503–1506, though the artist likely continued working on it until 1517.
Dimensions & Format
77 cm x 53 cm (30 in x 21 in); Portrait format.
Subject Description
Portrait of Lisa Gherardini seated in a loggia against a misty, aerial-perspective landscape. Known for her enigmatic smile and direct gaze (the 'Mona Lisa gaze').
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (stable, but aged); notable craquelure throughout and yellowing of protective varnish layers.
Estimated Market Value
Inestimable (valued at over $800 million for insurance purposes, though legally considered an irreplaceable national treasure).
Auction Estimate
N/A (Historical/National Heritage status; not for sale).
Provenance History
Acquired by King Francis I of France; part of the French Royal Collection; currently held by the French Republic at the Musée du Louvre since 1797.
Art Historical Significance
Considered the most famous painting in the world; it revolutionized portraiture through its psychological depth and mastery of sfumato technique.
Notable Features
The lack of visible eyebrows/eyelashes (standard for the era or lost to cleaning), the inclusion of a bridge in the background (Ponte Buriano), and the pyramidal composition.
Condition Issues
Extensive craquelure (fine cracking), darkening of pigments, and a famous warped poplar panel which is supported by a climate-controlled box.
Conservation Recommendations
Strict climate control (20°C and 50% humidity), bulletproof non-reflective glass, and minimal light exposure to prevent further pigment degradation.