Siapa Mona Lisa sebenarnya?

Summary

The *Mona Lisa*, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci, is one of the world's most famous and enigmatic artworks. Despite its fame, the identity of the woman in the painting remains a mystery. The most popular theory suggests she is Lisa Gherardini, a Florentine woman, but other theories propose she could be Da Vinci's mother, Caterina, or even a composite of several figures, including his assistant, Salai. Experts continue to debate these possibilities, and new theories emerge regularly, leaving the *Mona Lisa*'s identity as one of art history's greatest puzzles.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Mona Lisa' is a 16th-century oil painting by Leonardo da Vinci, often considered the most famous painting in the world.
• 😀 The identity of the woman in the painting has been a mystery for centuries, with several theories proposed over time.
• 😀 One of the most widely accepted theories suggests that the woman in the painting is Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine merchant.
• 😀 Historical documents, such as a 1503 note by Agostino Vespucci, support the theory that Leonardo painted Lisa Gherardini when she was pregnant with her second child.
• 😀 The name 'Mona Lisa' translates to 'Lady Lisa,' further supporting the idea that the subject is Lisa Gherardini.
• 😀 In 2005, a professor found a note from 1503 confirming that Leonardo painted Lisa, with evidence of her pregnancy during the painting.
• 😀 The theory that Mona Lisa is Leonardo's mother, Caterina, draws on psychological analysis, linking her smile to Leonardo's childhood memories.
• 😀 Another theory, proposed by art historian Sylvano Vinceti, suggests that Mona Lisa's face is a combination of Lisa Gherardini and Leonardo's student, Salai.
• 😀 Vinceti also speculates that the painting could depict an androgynous figure, combining both male and female traits, but this idea lacks solid evidence.
• 😀 There are various other theories that attempt to identify Mona Lisa as historical figures such as Caterina Sforza or even Leonardo da Vinci himself.

Q & A

Who is the artist behind the Mona Lisa painting?

The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci, a genius artist from the 16th century.

Why is the Mona Lisa considered one of the most famous paintings in the world?

The Mona Lisa is considered one of the most famous paintings due to its captivating smile, mystical gaze, and its central role in both mythological studies and art parodies. It draws around 6 million visitors annually at the Louvre Museum in France.

What is the main mystery surrounding the Mona Lisa?

The main mystery is the identity of the woman depicted in the painting. Despite its fame, Leonardo da Vinci never left any clues about who she was, and this has led to various theories over the years.

What is the most widely accepted theory about the identity of the Mona Lisa?

The most widely accepted theory is that the Mona Lisa is actually Lisa del Giocondo, a woman from Florence, Italy. She was married to a respected cloth merchant named Francesco del Giocondo, who supposedly commissioned Leonardo to paint her portrait.

How does the theory about Lisa del Giocondo relate to the painting's creation?

According to this theory, Francesco del Giocondo, who knew Leonardo's father, commissioned the painting to celebrate the birth of their future child, Andrea. This theory is supported by historical documents, including a biography of Leonardo and a 1503 note by Agostino Vespucci.

What evidence supports the theory that Mona Lisa was pregnant when the painting was created?

Experts point to Mona Lisa's hands crossed over her rounded stomach, which suggests she might have been pregnant. Additionally, infrared imaging shows the presence of a type of thin cloth called 'guarnello' covering her shoulders, which was typically worn by pregnant women.

What other claim has been made about Mona Lisa's identity in recent years?

In 2007, two sisters, Natalia and Irina Strozy, claimed to be the descendants of Mona Lisa, asserting that she was their great-grandmother. However, their claim lacks definitive evidence and remains unproven.

What is the second theory regarding the identity of the Mona Lisa?

The second theory suggests that the Mona Lisa may be Leonardo da Vinci's mother, Caterina di Meo Lippi. This theory is based on psychoanalytical interpretations of Leonardo's childhood and the possible influence of his mother's image on the painting.

How does the theory that Mona Lisa is Leonardo's mother explain her smile?

The theory proposes that the Mona Lisa's mysterious smile could be a reflection of Leonardo's memories of his mother, Caterina. This hypothesis suggests that the painting symbolizes a personal connection to his childhood and family.

What is the third theory about Mona Lisa's identity proposed by Sylvano Vincidi?

Sylvano Vincidi's theory posits that the Mona Lisa is a composite of Lisa del Giocondo's and Leonardo's student Salai's faces. Vincidi believes the figure is androgynous, blending male and female features, though this theory is controversial and largely rejected by experts.

What evidence does Vincidi present to support his theory about Salai?

Vincidi claims that Salai, a frequent model for Leonardo, had similar facial features to Mona Lisa. He also points to other paintings of Leonardo, where faces resembling Salai appear, suggesting that Salai's image may have influenced the Mona Lisa.

What other theories about the Mona Lisa's identity exist?

In addition to the three main theories, there are other speculations, including the ideas that Mona Lisa could be figures like Caterina Sforza, Isabel of Aragon, or even Leonardo da Vinci himself. However, none of these theories have been definitively proven.

What is the conclusion about the Mona Lisa's identity?

The true identity of the Mona Lisa remains uncertain. While several theories offer plausible explanations, there is no concrete evidence to definitively solve the mystery of who the woman in the painting truly is.