EUROPE/Paris, France

Mona Lisa (also called La Giocconda which means in Italian, happy or joyful woman). The Mona Lisa is an early 16th century portrait by Leonardo da Vinci. It is one of the most famous paintings in the world. Presently, there still is speculation over the painting's model. Notes discovered an earlier identification of the model Lisa as the wife of Francesco del Giocondo a wealthy silk merchant, who lived in Florence. Scholars of many minds, identifying several people as the painting's subject. Some who think that the Mona Lisa is Leonardo's mother Caterina in a distant memory.

Leonardo began to paint the Mona Lisa in 1503 and finished it about 3-4 years later. The painting was brought to France by Leonardo in 1516 and it was bought by Francis I of France. The Mona Lisa used to hang in the Chateau Fontainebleau and was then moved to the Palace of Versailles. After the French Revolution, Napoleon I of France had it hanging in his bedroom in the Tuileries Palace, but it was later moved to the Louvre where it is still hanging today.




Back of Postcard: Musée du Louvre-Mona Lisa, Painting by Leonardo da Vinci/c. 1503–1506

My Dearest Postcard,

I am having a wonderful time in France. Visiting the Louvre with the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa was my favorite. I love Paris!

XoXo Mme. Monique