Mona Lisa (La Joconde)

Leonardo had begun the portrait by October 1503, when Agostino Vespucci noted 'the head of Lisa del Giocondo' in the margin of a book in Florence. According to Vasari it was painted for Francesco del Giocondo, but Leonardo kept the unfinished work until his death, and it very probably entered the collection of Francis I in 1518. It passed from the royal collection to the Louvre in 1793. Its theft by Vincenzo Peruggia, a glazier working at the Louvre, in 1911 and its rediscovery in 1913 made it the most famous painting in the world. It was lent exceptionally to the United States in 1963 and to Japan and the Soviet Union in 1974, and because of its fragility has remained at the Louvre since.

1. 1503–1519

   Created by Leonardo da VinciB

2. October 1503

   Recorded as begunA

   Agostino Vespucci's marginal note in Florence refers to Leonardo's head of Lisa del Giocondo.

3. 1518

   Very probably acquired by Francis I of FranceA

   Leonardo kept the painting until the end of his life; the Louvre considers purchase by Francis I in 1518 very probable.

4. 1550

   Described by Vasari in the French royal collection at FontainebleauA

   Vasari's Lives records the portrait of Mona Lisa, left unfinished, as then with the King of France at Fontainebleau.

5. 1793

   Entered the Musée du Louvre from the former royal collectionA

6. 1911

   Stolen from the Louvre by Vincenzo PeruggiaA

   The theft by a glazier working at the museum brought the painting worldwide fame.

7. 1913

   RecoveredA

8. 1963

   Exhibited in the United StatesA

9. 1974

   Exhibited in Japan and the Soviet UnionA

   The painting has remained at the Louvre since, because of its fragility.

Depicts

Lisa GherardiniA

Associated with

Francesco del GiocondoAmedium confidence

Owned by · 1518

Francis I of FranceAmedium confidence

Associated with · 1911

Vincenzo PeruggiaA

Made in · begun by 1503

FlorenceAmedium confidence

Exhibited at · 1793–present

Louvre MuseumA

1. A

   Musée du Louvre, collection record INV 779

   Catalogue record

   ↗ View original record
2. B

   collections.louvre.fr

   ↗ View original record