The Prado- Mona Lisa vs the Da Vinci Mona Lisa

This posting is inspired by my recent readings on medieval art as well as the recent Mini-TV series on the Life Of Leonardo Da Vinci that I enjoyed very much.

The Prado Mona Lisa is a painting of the same subject as Leonardo da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa (which is held by the Louvre Museum, Paris).

This painting has been displayed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid (Spain) since 1819, but was considered for decades a worthless copy.

After its restoration in 2012, the Prado's Mona Lisa was claimed to be the earliest replica of Leonardo's masterpiece.

There are dozens of paintings that were crafted in the last decade of the quattrocento and the first two decades of the cinquecento by Leonardo da Vinci’s many talented allievi, followers and studio assistants, both in his Milano atelier and in his Firenze atelier.

These so-called Leonardeschi may have seen or studied a Leonardo disegno (preparatory drawing) and then painted a final painting.

Although there are dozens of surviving replicas of Mona Lisa from the 16th and 17th centuries,the Prado's Mona Lisa may have been painted simultaneously by a student of Leonardo in the same studio where he painted his own Mona Lisa, so it is said to be the replica with the most historical value.

The painting shown in the post is a nice example of a painting by one of Leonardo’s many talented pupils and allievi in his Milano atelier and in his Firenze atelier, known as the Leonardeschi.

Among these Leonardeschi, either Salai (Gian Giacomo Caprotti) or Francesco Melzi, is the most plausible author of the Prado's version, although other experts opine that the painting could have been executed by one of Leonardo's Spanish students.

The Prado “La Gioconda” Prado Mona Lisa -Follower of Leonardo da Vinci c. 1503–1516 oil on panel, Prado, Madrid

Meanwhile here's the Da Vinci Mona Lisa. Can you see the Difference?

The Mona Lisa is a half-length portrait painting by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. Considered an archetypal masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, it has been described as "the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, [and] the most parodied work of art in the world."

Lastly, Did you Know That?

Cebu City holds the title of the oldest city in the Philippines, established in 1565. It serves as a significant cultural and economic hub in the Visayas region.

Known for its rich historical heritage, Cebu City is home to landmarks such as Magellan's Cross and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. The city also boasts beautiful beaches, vibrant festivals like Sinulog, and a thriving business district.

Cebu City's blend of historical significance and modern development makes it a must-visit destination for travelers.