Speculations about Mona Lisa Speculations about Mona Lisa The 16th-century portrait Mona Lisa, or "La Gioconda" ("La Joconde"), painted in oil on a poplar panel by Leonardo da Vinci, has been the subject of a considerable deal of speculation. It has for a long time been argued that after Leonardo's death the painting was cut down by having part of the panel at both sides removed. Early copies depict columns on both sides of the figure. Only the edges of the bases can be seen in the original. However, some art historians, such as Martin Kemp, now argue that the painting has not been
Mona Lisa (Prado's version) scientifically, the version with the most historical value. Furthermore, the replica was discovered to be possibly painted simultaneously by a student of Leonardo in the same studio where da Vinci painted his own "Mona Lisa". Among the pupils of Leonardo, Salaì or Francesco Melzi are the most plausible authors of the Prado's version, though other experts opine that the painting could have been executed by one of Leonardo's Spanish students. The origins of the "Prado's Mona Lisa" are linked to those of Leonardo's original, as both paintings were likely created simultaneously in the same studio. The first documentary reference was