Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait of Lisa Gherardini is arguably the most famous painting in history. This quiz explores the history, mysteries, and scandals surrounding the iconic portrait.
You will see questions about the painting’s creation, the sfumato technique, and the audacious 1911 theft that shocked the world. Some questions cover simple details, while others require deeper knowledge.
When you finish this round, check out our trivia on art masterpieces, explore museums and galleries, or learn about historical painting techniques.
In which museum is the Mona Lisa currently displayed?
The Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery
The Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The British Museum
The British Museum
Who is the artist credited with painting the Mona Lisa?
Raphael
Raphael
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
Donatello
Donatello
Michelangelo
Michelangelo
What is the material that the Mona Lisa is painted on?
Oil on wood panel
Oil on wood panel
Acrylic on canvas
Acrylic on canvas
Watercolor
Watercolor
Fresco on plaster
Fresco on plaster
What is the name of the technique used by da Vinci to create soft, hazy transitions between colors and tones?
Frottage
Frottage
Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro
Impasto
Impasto
Sfumato
Sfumato
Who is most widely believed by historians to be the subject of the portrait?
Isabella d’Este
Isabella d’Este
Caterina Sforza
Caterina Sforza
Cecilia Gallerani
Cecilia Gallerani
Lisa Gherardini
Lisa Gherardini
What is depicted in the background of the Mona Lisa?
A landscape
A landscape
A bustling city market
A bustling city market
A royal palace interior
A royal palace interior
A religious altar scene
A religious altar scene
In what year was the Mona Lisa stolen from the Louvre?
1914
1914
1911
1911
1917
1917
1908
1908
Who was responsible for the 1911 theft of the painting?
Edgar Degas
Edgar Degas
Vincenzo Peruggia
Vincenzo Peruggia
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso
Guy de Maupassant
Guy de Maupassant
Approximately how long was the Mona Lisa missing after its 1911 theft?
Two years
Two years
One year
One year
Four years
Four years
Three years
Three years
What was the primary motive behind the 1911 theft of the painting?
To sell it to a private collector
To sell it to a private collector
To destroy it for fame
To destroy it for fame
To repatriate it to Italy
To repatriate it to Italy
To sell it for a ransom
To sell it for a ransom
Which of these is a widely discussed characteristic of the Mona Lisa’s appearance?
The subject was actually a man dressed as a woman
The subject was actually a man dressed as a woman
The painting had no eyebrows
The painting had no eyebrows
The painter used his own blood in the paint
The painter used his own blood in the paint
The painting was originally a mural
The painting was originally a mural
What was a major consequence of the 1911 theft on the painting’s fame?
It caused the painting to be irreparably damaged
It caused the painting to be irreparably damaged
It made the painting a global sensation
It made the painting a global sensation
It led to the closure of the Louvre forever
It led to the closure of the Louvre forever
It was ignored by the media of the time
It was ignored by the media of the time
The Italian term ‘sfumato’ is derived from a word meaning what?
Sharp or clear
Sharp or clear
Bright or vivid
Bright or vivid
Smoky or soft
Smoky or soft
Rough or textured
Rough or textured
In which Italian city was the painting likely commissioned?
Venice
Venice
Rome
Rome
Milan
Milan
Florence
Florence
What are the approximate dimensions of the Mona Lisa?
87 cm × 63 cm
87 cm × 63 cm
67 cm × 43 cm
67 cm × 43 cm
77 cm × 53 cm
77 cm × 53 cm
97 cm × 73 cm
97 cm × 73 cm
Which French monarch originally acquired the painting for the royal collection after Leonardo da Vinci’s death?
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV of France
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte
Catherine de’ Medici
Catherine de’ Medici
Francis I of France
Francis I of France
What aspect of the painting is often cited as its most mysterious psychological feature?
The presence of a hidden portrait underneath
The presence of a hidden portrait underneath
A mirrored landscape effect
A mirrored landscape effect
The optical illusion created by the smile
The optical illusion created by the smile
The use of invisible ink for symbols
The use of invisible ink for symbols
Where was the painting taken in 1913 when the thief finally attempted to sell it?
It was taken to Florence in hopes of selling it to the Uffizi
It was taken to Florence in hopes of selling it to the Uffizi
It was taken to Germany to be hidden during the war
It was taken to Germany to be hidden during the war
It was kept in a private villa in London
It was kept in a private villa in London
It was hidden in a basement in Paris for two years
It was hidden in a basement in Paris for two years
How did the Mona Lisa originally end up in France?
The painting was purchased by the French government in the 19th century
The painting was purchased by the French government in the 19th century
The painting was seized by Napoleon’s army in Italy
The painting was seized by Napoleon’s army in Italy
The painting arrived in France because Leonardo was invited there by the King
The painting arrived in France because Leonardo was invited there by the King
The painting was gifted to the Louvre by the artist’s estate
The painting was gifted to the Louvre by the artist’s estate
How did da Vinci achieve the sfumato effect?
Using rapid, thick brushstrokes to capture light
Using rapid, thick brushstrokes to capture light
Using wet-on-wet paint application exclusively
Using wet-on-wet paint application exclusively
Using many layers of thin, translucent glazes
Using many layers of thin, translucent glazes
Using high-contrast black and white pigments only
Using high-contrast black and white pigments only
Which alternative theory suggests that the Mona Lisa is a portrait of an apprentice rather than a woman?
A noblewoman from Mantua
A noblewoman from Mantua
Da Vinci’s own mother
Da Vinci’s own mother
An idealization of female beauty not based on a real person
An idealization of female beauty not based on a real person
Salai, Leonardo’s long-time pupil and companion
Salai, Leonardo’s long-time pupil and companion
What has been the primary method of physical protection for the Mona Lisa since its return to display after various vandal attempts?
A constant ambient temperature control chamber
A constant ambient temperature control chamber
The painting was moved to a secret subterranean vault for security
The painting was moved to a secret subterranean vault for security
Bulletproof glass
Bulletproof glass
Laser security measures only
Laser security measures only
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
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