One of the most famous paintings of all time is the Mona Lisa: a. In which museum is it currently located? b. What is the alternate name the Italian name for this painting?

One of the world's most recognizable and celebrated works of art, the Mona Lisa, is a permanent resident of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. This iconic oil painting by Leonardo da Vinci attracts millions of visitors annually, all eager to glimpse its enigmatic smile. The painting has been part of the museum's collection since 1804 and remains a central highlight for anyone exploring the vast halls of the Louvre.

Beyond its commonly known English title, the Mona Lisa is also famously referred to by its Italian name, La Gioconda. This name is believed to derive from Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of a Florentine silk merchant, Francesco del Giocondo, who is widely considered to be the subject of the portrait. The Italian title "La Gioconda" is a feminine form of her married name, and it also cleverly plays on the word "jocund," meaning "happy" or "jovial," which is often associated with the painting's famous expression.

Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa on a poplar wood panel sometime between 1503 and 1519, employing his revolutionary sfumato technique to create soft, blended transitions between colors and tones, notably around her eyes and mouth, which contributes to her elusive smile. The painting's small size, measuring approximately 30 by 21 inches, often surprises viewers, given its monumental fame. After Leonardo's death, the painting was acquired by King Francis I of France, and it later became property of the French Republic. Its global recognition was further cemented following its dramatic theft from the Louvre in 1911, an event that sparked a worldwide media sensation before its eventual recovery.