The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century, is a portrait of a mysterious woman who has captivated hearts and minds for centuries.
Housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Mona Lisa continues to bewilder people with its smile and gaze.
Millions of visitors annually flock to the Louvre to marvel at Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece and its enigmatic charm.
In this article, we unravel the secrets behind the Mona Lisa’s fame, exploring its historical significance, artistic brilliance, and the controversies surrounding it.
Read ahead to learn about the Mona Lisa, one of the world’s most celebrated and enigmatic paintings.
Where is the Mona Lisa in Le Louvre Paris?
Mona Lisa in the Louvre is the world’s most famous painting and among the most sought-after art pieces in the Musee du Louvre.
Naturally, a space just as grand as its popularity is needed to accommodate the large crowd of admirers.
The Mona Lisa is kept in Room 711 (Salle des États), Denon wing, Level 1, the museum’s largest room.
The Salle des Etats, or the Room of the State, is also adorned with other notable paintings, such as Vernose’s Venetian masterpiece, The Wedding Feast at Cana.
The painting is placed inside a temperature and humidity-proof glass chamber in the middle of the room.
What Makes the Mona Lisa in le Louvre So Special?
The Mona Lisa is a significant piece of art for multiple reasons.
One of the most attractive features of the Mona Lisa in le Louvre is her enigmatic smile, which is a subject of mystery.
It was one of the first portraits in Italy to showcase the sitter in front of a hypothetical landscape.
Da Vinci, a pioneer of aerial techniques, created this masterpiece in the 14th century.
The artwork has set a benchmark for future portraits and painters, and its popularity continues to grow with time.
It is still preserved in excellent condition at the Musee du Louvre.
Interesting Facts About the Mona Lisa in le Louvre Paris
Here are some interesting facts about the Mona Lisa painting in the Louvre Museum:
- Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa on a wooden panel, not a canvas.
- Leonardo da Vinci completed the Mona Lisa by working intermittently over several years.
He added numerous layers of thin oil glazes at different times.
- The Mona Lisa was one of the first paintings in the world to depict the subject, in this case, the sitter, in front of an imaginary scene or landscape.
- The Mona Lisa in le Louvre was stolen in 1911, causing a media uproar, but it was recovered two years later.
- The Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris’s current location at the Room of the State is its new location.
It was relocated here and has since been displayed in a purpose-built, climate-controlled enclosure behind bullet-proof glass.
- The Mona Lisa in the Louvre was recently attacked by activists who claimed they wanted to raise awareness of issues related to climate change through this act.
1911 – The Year Mona Lisa Was Stolen
Another reason contributing to the popularity of the Mona Lisa is that it was stolen in 1911 by Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian handyman.
Peruggia and two others hid in a closet at the Louvre until closing, then took the painting, which was not considered a significant work by Leonardo then.
They left Paris on a train.
As news of the theft spread in France and internationally, Peruggia kept the painting, hiding it under the floorboards of his Paris apartment at one point.
About two years later, he tried to sell it to a dealer in Florence, thinking he could return a lost treasure to Italy.
However, the dealer contacted the director of the Uffizi Galleries, who got the painting back and called the police.
Peruggia spent six months in prison, and the Mona Lisa was returned to the Louvre.
Quite the celebrity, isn’t she?
Where Is The Real Mona Lisa Kept
The Mona Lisa, a timeless masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci, is displayed with great care and security in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
This iconic painting is shielded by bulletproof glass, a protective measure to keep the Mona Lisa safe from potential harm or theft (no chances this time!).
Before becoming a part of the Louvre, the Mona Lisa belonged to the royal collection.
The French Revolution led to a significant transformation in the ownership of cultural artifacts, including the Mona Lisa.
The painting found its way into the Louvre’s collection in 1804.
Mona Lisa in Louvre Museum Tour
Want to see the Louvre and Leonardo da Vinci’s enigmatic Mona Lisa painting but are afraid of the long lines?
The Skip-the-Line Louvre – Mona Lisa tour with a host allows you to bypass the infamously long ticket queues to maximize your time inside the world’s largest museum.
More importantly, your expert local host will lead you straight to the legendary Mona Lisa, recounting fascinating stories and details about the painting along the way.
Instead of struggling through crowded rooms alone in search of Da Vinci’s 16th-century masterpiece, relax and follow your guide, who knows precisely where the artwork is.
Ticket Prices:
Morning tours cost €65, while evening tours of Mona Lisa cost €30 per adult.
Here is the breakdown of the tour ticket prices.
Morning tour prices
| Age | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (18+ years) | €65 |
| Child ticket (3 to 17 years) | €55 |
| Infant ticket (up to 3 years) | Free |
Evening tour prices
| Age | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (18+ years) | €30 |
| Child ticket (3 to 17 years) | €25 |
| Infant ticket (up to 3 years) | Free |
Other Mona Lisas
Many excellent replicas of the Mona Lisa, some by Leonardo da Vinci’s students, exist.
The Prado Museum in Madrid houses a unique copy believed to be painted during Leonardo’s lifetime.
During a 2010s restoration, it was discovered that the Prado version mirrored changes in the original, suggesting an assistant painted it in Leonardo’s studio.
Restoration revealed vibrant colors and a detailed landscape beneath the black background.
Other replicas, like the Isleworth Mona Lisa, claim to be Leonardo’s initial version, but this is disputed.
Semi-nude interpretations known as Monna Vanna, likely by Leonardo’s students with occasional input from him, also exist.
Contents
FAQs About the Mona Lisa in le Louvre Paris
In which room is the Mona Lisa in the Louvre?
The Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum Paris is currently in the museum’s biggest room, the Salle des Etats or the Room of the State, along with some other famous paintings.
Is the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris currently on display?
The Mona Lisa in le Louvre is currently displayed in the Room of the State, behind bullet-proof glass.
It is secured in a climate-controlled glass to ensure its safety and preservation.
What happened to the Mona Lisa painting in the Louvre Museum?
The Mona Lisa in the Louvre has suffered several tragedies, including a robbery in 1910 and an acid attack in 1950.
It was also recently attacked by a group of vandals who claimed to be climate-change activists attempting to raise awareness about the same.
Do I need separate tickets to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre?
Visitors do not need separate tickets to see the Mona Lisa painting in the Louvre Museum.
Is the Mona Lisa in the Louvre Real?
Yes, the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris is the original painting by Leonardo da Vinci.
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Featured Photo by Rumman Amin on Unsplash
