The Mona Lisa needs no introduction. This famous work of art was painted by the great artist Leonardo da Vinci between 1503 and 1505.

Mona Lisa is the portrait of La Gioconda, a young Florentine woman who married a well-known banker, Francesco del Giocondo. The Mona Lisa was bought off from Leonardo by the then King of France, Francois I. The King bought the painting to put up in his court.

Mona Lisa was brought to the Louvre in 1798 after the French revolution. The Louvre museum is one of the most visited museums in the world, primarily because all the tourists want to catch a glimpse of Mona Lisa.

This Leonardo's masterpiece depicts the young, gentle Mona Lisa with mountains as the backdrop. Its her enigmatic smile that has both mystery and elegance, that has made the painting so popular and earned the artist, such great fame. The painting is a clear evidence of Leonardo's remarkable technique, which makes the painting almost glow!

And to think this remarkable painting disappeared for two years from the museum! On August 21, 1911, Mona Lisa was stolen from the museum by an Italian thief who was called Vincenzo Perugia. Vincenzo was one of the workers in Louvre museum who were in charge of framing the masterpiece. After stealing the masterpiece, Vincenzo fled to Florence in Italy. After two years, the painting was eventually recovered and returned to Louvre.

This masterpiece has been displayed at the world's biggest cities like New York and Tokyo in the 60's and 70's. Now its back with Louvre, displayed behind a bullet proof glass.