Mona Lisa completed later than thought, Louvre confirms

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The Louvre Museum in Paris has confirmed a report that the ‘Mona Lisa’ by Leonardo da Vinci was completed later than previously thought. The Art Newspaper reported earlier this month that the painting was finished more than a decade later, possibly as late as 1519. (The painting was previously thought to have been finished as late as 1506.)

A copy of the ‘Mona Lisa,’ believed to have been created by one of the Renaissance master’s students, was recently unveiled at the Prado Museum in Spain. The copy was instrumental in determining the new completion date for the original painting.

The Art Newspaper reported Wednesday that the Louvre is officially changing the dates associated with the ‘Mona Lisa’ to 1503-19, from 1503-06. The re-dating coincides with a new exhibition at the Louvre dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Virgin and Child With Saint Anne,’ which has been restored.

The show also features the Prado’s copy of the ‘Mona Lisa.’ The exhibition opens Thursday and is scheduled to run through June 25.

RELATED:

‘Mona Lisa’ mystery: Was painting completed a decade later?

Mona Lisa had eyebrows, art expert says

Mona Lisa copy identified at Prado Museum in Spain

-- David Ng