Monalisa

The Mona Lisa is a half-length portrait painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. It is considered an archetypal masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance and has been described as "the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world." The painting's novel qualities include the subject's enigmatic expression, the masterful use of sfumato, and the atmospheric landscape.

The subject of the portrait is widely believed to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo. Leonardo began painting it around 1503 and may have continued working on it until 1517. The painting was acquired by King Francis I of France and is now owned by the French Republic. It has been on permanent display at the Louvre Museum in Paris since 1797.

The Mona Lisa has been the subject of numerous theories and interpretations. Its theft in 1911 brought it international fame and further fueled its mystique. Despite its small size, the painting commands immense attention and draws millions of visitors to the Louvre each year, making it one of the most iconic and recognizable artworks globally. Its enduring appeal lies in its artistic innovation, historical significance, and the ongoing debate surrounding its creator and subject.