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La Joconde (Mona Lisa)

La Joconde is the French title for the Mona Lisa, a portrait painting by Leonardo da Vinci.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

La Joconde is the French title for the Mona Lisa, a portrait painting by Leonardo da Vinci. It is widely regarded as one of the most famous artworks in the world and is displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The painting is generally identified as a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo, though its exact dating and subject identification have been debated.

Title and naming

The painting is known in French as La Joconde and in Italian as La Gioconda. Both names are linked to the married surname of the traditionally identified sitter, Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo.

Attribution and subject

The work is universally attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. The sitter is traditionally identified as Lisa Gherardini, although the portrait’s exact identification has been discussed by scholars.

Date and medium

The painting is generally dated to the early 16th century, most often around 1503 to 1506, with some sources allowing that Leonardo may have continued refining it until around 1517. It is an oil painting on a white poplar panel.

Display and significance

The Mona Lisa has been on display at the Louvre in Paris since the late 18th century and is considered one of the most famous paintings in the world. Its fame has made it a major cultural reference point in art history.

Key facts

  • La Joconde is the French title for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
  • The painting is traditionally identified as a portrait of Lisa Gherardini.
  • It is an oil painting on a poplar panel, dated to about 1503–1506.
  • It is displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
  • The work is universally attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.
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Canadian context

La Joconde is widely studied and reproduced in Canadian art history, museum, and school contexts as one of the most famous works in Western art.

Frequently asked questions

What is La Joconde?
La Joconde is the French name for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, a portrait painting usually identified as Lisa Gherardini.
Who painted La Joconde?
It was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
Where is La Joconde displayed?
It is displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
When was La Joconde painted?
It is usually dated to about 1503–1506, though some sources say Leonardo may have worked on it until about 1517.
What is La Joconde made on?
It is an oil painting on a poplar wood panel.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa
    Supports: Artist, date range, medium, subject, dimensions, and Louvre location.
  2. Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Mona-Lisa-painting
    Supports: Alternative title La Joconde, Leonardo attribution, approximate dating, and Louvre location.
  3. Musée du Louvrehttps://www.louvre.fr/en/explore/the-palace/from-the-mona-lisa-to-the-wedding-feast-at-cana
    Supports: Identification of the sitter as Lisa Gherardini and the French title La Joconde.
  4. Wikipediahttps://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Joconde
    Supports: French title, attribution, dating range, and identification of the sitter.