Did you know it took Leonardo Da Vinci 10 years to paint Mona Lisa

Image by WikiImages from Pixabay

The amount of time Leonardo da Vinci spent painting the Mona Lisa is actually a bit debatable! While it's true that he didn't finish it quickly, the exact years spent on it are not entirely clear. Here's what we know:

• He likely started painting it around 1503. This date is documented in various historical accounts.
• He carried the painting with him until his death in 1519. So, he worked on it for at least 16 years.
• He was known for being a perfectionist and often left works unfinished. Some art historians believe he considered the Mona Lisa unfinished even then.
• Giorgio Vasari, his biographer, mentioned Leonardo spending four years on it but never finishing. However, Vasari's accuracy isn't always perfect.

Therefore, while 10 years is a commonly cited estimate, it's more likely that Leonardo da Vinci worked on the Mona Lisa for 16 years, possibly on and off, and might not have even considered it truly finished in the end. The mystery surrounding the painting adds to its allure!