---
title: Mona Lisa
author: Centre for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12640/mona-lisa/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-02-19
---
# Mona Lisa
_Authored by Centre for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/12640.jpg)
## Image Caption
The *Mona Lisa* (also known as "La Gioconda" in Italian) was painted by Italian Renaissance painter [Leonardo da Vinci](https://www.worldhistory.org/Leonardo_da_Vinci/) (1452-1519) c. 1506. The oil on wood panel portrait is one of da Vinci's most well known works, as well as one of the most famous paintings of all time. The portrait's unconventional composition and subtle details are part of what sets it apart from other High Renaissance works. Mona Lisa has become iconic for her soft, mysterious smile and eyes which seem to follow the observer. It measures 98 x 53 centimetres (38 x 21 inches), a relatively small size that often surprises modern viewers used to seeing this image in larger reprints. (Louvre Museum, [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/))
## Cite This Work
### APA
France, C. f. R. a. R. o. t. M. o. (2020, August 31). Mona Lisa. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
France, Centre for Research and Restoration of the Museums of. "Mona Lisa." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 31, 2020. .
### MLA
France, Centre for Research and Restoration of the Museums of. "Mona Lisa." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Aug 2020, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mona_Lisa,_by_Leonardo_da_Vinci,_from_C2RMF_retouched.jpg) by [**Centre for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mona_Lisa,_by_Leonardo_da_Vinci,_from_C2RMF_retouched.jpg). Submitted by [Arienne King](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ava.spartan.117/ "User Page: Arienne King"), published on 31 August 2020. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.