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
SS Leonardo da Vinci (1960) SS Leonardo da Vinci (1960) SS "Leonardo da Vinci" was an ocean liner built in 1960 by Ansaldo Shipyards, Italy for the Italian Line as a replacement for their SS "Andrea Doria" that had been lost in 1956. She was initially used in transatlantic service alongside SS "Cristoforo Colombo", and primarily for cruising after the delivery of the new SS "Michelangelo" and SS "Raffaello" in 1965. In 1976 the "Leonardo da Vinci" became the last Italian Line passenger liner to be used in service across the North Atlantic. Between 1977 and 1978 she was used as a cruise ship by