"Mona is Tickling Herself" by Lisa (age 7.5)

The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci between the years 1503-1506. Today, it is the top attraction of visitors to the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. While it is considered to be the world's most famous painting, here are a few facts about it that most people don't know:

  • It measures 30-by-21 inches in size (or approximately 77 x 53 cm).
  • It is painted with oils on a poplar wooden panel.
  • It has been a part of France's royal collection since the early 16th century. King Francis I purchased the painting from Leonardo after the artist accepted his invitation to live in France in 1517.
  • It is also called " La Joconde" (by the French) and "La Gioconda" (by Italians). "Gioconda" also means "a light-hearted woman." in Italian.
  • Although the true identity of the Mona Lisa remains a mystery, most experts believe it is the wife of a 16th-century Florentine businessman, Francesco del Giocondo, who commissioned the portrait (hence the name "La Gioconda").

  • The Mona Lisa is encased in a 157-by-98 inch box of triplex glass, a gift from the Japanese on the occasion of the painting's 1974 trip to Japan--the last time it left the museum.
  • This buttleproof box is kept at a constant 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 55 percent humidity which is maintained by a built-in air conditioner and nine pounds of silica gel.
  • Once a year, the Mona Lisa receives a check-up in which the box surrounding it is opened and the climatic conditions as well as the painting's condition are examined.

Want to do more? Send us your interpretation of "Why Mona is smiling" for display in the Mona Lisa Gallery. Visit the Louvre Museum in Paris. Browse through its collections and see if you can find the Mona Lisa. Learn more the life of Leonardo da Vinci and see examples of his work through the following web links:

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