The Mona Lisa: A Journey to Fame

The video explores the Mona Lisa's journey to fame, starting with its creation by Leonardo da Vinci, who employed innovative techniques like sfumato and atmospheric perspective. Despite being an outstanding Renaissance portrait, its fame grew due to historical events, including its acquisition by French royalty and the 1911 theft by Vincenzo Peruggia. The theft, along with cultural interpretations and media coverage, propelled the painting to global celebrity status. Today, the Mona Lisa is protected in the Louvre, symbolizing both artistic excellence and the phenomenon of celebrity.

What was Vincenzo Peruggia's main obstacle during the Mona Lisa heist?

• The painting was too heavy to carry

• A guard caught him in the act

• He forgot the escape route

• The door was locked and footsteps were approaching

Who commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to paint the Mona Lisa?

• A French king

• A Florentine businessman

• An Italian scholar

• A famous artist

Which artistic technique did Leonardo use to create depth in the Mona Lisa?

• Fresco

• Pointillism

• Chiaroscuro

• Atmospheric perspective

What role did King François I play in the Mona Lisa's history?

• He painted the Mona Lisa

• He stole the Mona Lisa

• He criticized the Mona Lisa

• He purchased and displayed the Mona Lisa

Which scholar described the Mona Lisa as a 'hypnotic imitation of life'?

• Walter Pater

• Théophile Gautier

• Giorgio Vasari

• Alfred Dumesnil

What was a common theme in 19th-century interpretations of the Mona Lisa?

• Her mysterious smile

• Her historical accuracy

• Her large size

• Her vibrant colors

Who was mistakenly interrogated for the Mona Lisa theft due to a previous Louvre incident?

• Pablo Picasso

• Walter Pater

• Marcel Duchamp

• Nat King Cole

How did Peruggia manage to keep the Mona Lisa hidden for two years?

• He sold it immediately

• He buried it underground

• He displayed it in his home

• He kept it in a false-bottom suitcase

What was the public's reaction when the Mona Lisa was returned to the Louvre?

• Indifference

• Large crowds gathered to see it

• Protests against its return

• Calls for it to be moved to Italy

What does the Mona Lisa symbolize today, beyond being a Renaissance portrait?

• A testament to celebrity culture

• A forgotten masterpiece

• An example of modern art

• A symbol of French nationalism