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The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is not just the most renowned artwork by him, but arguably the most famous painting in history. It has become a cultural symbol, with a life full of drama—once displayed in a king’s bathroom, it was stolen and even had cake thrown at it by a protestor. Today, this masterpiece is safeguarded behind bulletproof and bombproof glass, a reflection of its priceless value.
Despite its high-security protection, nothing can shield the Mona Lisa from the creative reinterpretations by other artists. Here are ten alternate takes on this iconic painting—and some are quite unexpected.
10. L.H.O.O.Q.
Marcel Duchamp caused a stir and reshaped the art world in the early 1900s with his 'readymades.' By placing ordinary, everyday objects in an art gallery, he transformed them into art. One of his most infamous works was 'Fountain,' in which he took a urinal, positioned it sideways, signed it with the name 'R. Mutt,' and presented it as art.
In his version of the Mona Lisa, Duchamp took a postcard image of the iconic painting and added a mustache and a small goatee. Below, he wrote the letters L.H.O.O.Q., which, when spoken in French, sound like 'Ella a chaud au cul', translating to 'She has a hot ass.'
Duchamp’s message was clear: no matter how highly revered a piece of art may be, it remains a subject open to interpretation and manipulation.
9. Mona a'la Mace
Everyone enjoys doodling every now and then, but only one individual is known as the 'da Vinci of Doodlers.' Lennie Mace is celebrated as a true master of the ballpoint pen. He creates intricate pieces he calls 'PENtings.' His most notable creation is Mona a'la Mace, a ballpoint rendition of the Mona Lisa.
Due to his expertise with pens, Mace was hired by the Pilot pen company to create a Mona Lisa interpretation. Unlike Leonardo’s subdued colors, Mace chose bold shades of purple, yet still managed to capture the graceful, smooth contours that characterize the original's style using only ballpoint pens.
Although Mona a’la Mace was once displayed in Pilot's offices, its current location is a mystery. Given that the artist was compensated with a significant sum, it's likely that the artwork didn't end up in the trash, unlike most doodles.
8. Mona Lisa Bazooka
Banksy is arguably the world’s most famous street artist. His graffiti often appears in the most surprising places, but these artworks rarely remain in their original locations for long. His pieces can fetch millions, and some works have led to entire walls being removed from buildings and sold as unexpected art treasures.
In 2007, in Soho, London, Banksy reimagined the Mona Lisa. Rather than simply captivating viewers with her mysterious gaze, this version of the iconic lady is armed with a bazooka. By adding the weapon, Mona Lisa's gentle smile transforms into something more menacing. Is she grinning in anticipation of the destruction she’s about to cause?
Not everyone appreciates the combination of violence with classic art. One observer, upon seeing the piece, was overheard saying, 'Only boys with small d**ks paint pictures of big guns.'
7. Isleworth Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci was known for his meticulous nature. Renowned for starting multiple projects and tirelessly refining them for years, sometimes leaving them unfinished, he pursued his ideal vision. It is believed that the Mona Lisa, in its final form, may have taken from 1503 to 1517 to complete. Given the considerable time invested in the version displayed at the Louvre, some art scholars speculate that Leonardo might have created another version of the artwork.
A replica of the Mona Lisa was purchased in Italy during the 1780s and transported to Britain. Initially obscure, it gained attention in 1913 when it was acquired and put on display. A publication soon emerged suggesting that this copy was also painted by Leonardo and potentially created before the famous Louvre version. The subsequent owner of this piece later published a book asserting that his version was the only authentic Leonardo work, while the Louvre's Mona Lisa was a mere reproduction by another artist. This claim, if true, would have dramatically increased the value of the painting in his possession.
The problem with attributing the Isleworth Mona Lisa to Leonardo lies in several inconsistencies. While Leonardo typically painted on wooden panels, this version of the Mona Lisa was created on canvas, casting doubt on its authorship.
6. Prado Mona Lisa
There are numerous replicas of the Mona Lisa around the world. One such version, displayed at the Prado Museum in Madrid, was long thought to be just another copy. However, after its restoration in 2012, experts had the opportunity to reexamine it, and what they uncovered was truly remarkable.
The Prado Mona Lisa is believed to have been created between 1507 and 1516—precisely the period when Leonardo was active. After years of varnish and overpainting were removed, the true quality of the Prado version became evident. In many respects, it’s in better condition than the famous Mona Lisa at the Louvre, with the background details appearing far more distinct.
The Prado Mona Lisa is painted from a slightly different perspective compared to the Louvre version. It’s believed this painting was created by an apprentice working alongside Leonardo in his studio. The identity of the artist remains unknown, as Leonardo had several assistants during that time.
5. Monna Vanna
One of Leonardo’s closest aides, and perhaps his lover, was Salai. Salai received his artistic training from Leonardo, though he never matched his master’s genius. Some have speculated that Salai may have been involved in the creation of the Mona Lisa, with one theory suggesting that he was the actual model for the painting.
Salai's connection to the Mona Lisa extends in other ways as well. It's possible that he was the one who painted the Prado version of the masterpiece. It's also suggested that after Leonardo's death, Salai may have inherited the Mona Lisa now displayed at the Louvre. We do know that Salai created at least one version of the Mona Lisa, titled the Monna Vanna. In this painting, the model adopts the same pose as the Mona Lisa but with her breasts exposed.
The Monna Vanna, or 'Vain Woman,' may not be the scandalous imitation of Leonardo’s work it initially seems. A sketch of the Monna Vanna was apparently drawn by Leonardo himself. The figure in the sketch also seems to resemble Salai—now with breasts. Did Leonardo create it as a tribute to his striking young assistant, or was it a cheeky joke on his part?
4. Mona Lisa Smoking a Pipe
The Dada and Surrealist movements revolutionized art with their strange and unconventional contributions. In many ways, they were building upon the work of earlier avant-garde artists. One such moment occurred in 1882 when an exhibition called Arts Incohérents was held in Paris. It showcased only works from artists who didn’t know how to draw, yet it was a major success and was repeated in the following years. Among the participants was the artist known as Sapeck, whose real name was Eugène Bataille.
Sapeck was famous for his eccentric behavior, which foreshadowed performance art. One of his quirks was walking around the city with his head painted blue. So, it comes as no surprise that his version of the Mona Lisa was quite peculiar.
Sapeck reimagines the Mona Lisa, not as a demure lady, but as a smoke-ring-puffing icon, casually holding a pipe while the tendrils of smoke swirl into the air.
3. Dali's Self-Portrait Mona Lisa
Salvador Dali, a master of surrealism, is renowned for his imaginative landscapes filled with distorted timepieces and peculiar creatures like spindly-legged elephants. But Dali wasn’t just a painter; he lived out his art in bizarre, theatrical ways, from his eccentric wardrobe to the iconic mustache that defied convention.
Dali’s mustache shares a certain resemblance with the facial hair Marcel Duchamp depicted on his own Mona Lisa, lending a touch of irony. Dali went further, placing his own face onto the Mona Lisa’s body, his wide-eyed expression and a fistful of coins likely symbolizing the madness surrounding the high value of classic artworks.
What is the true worth of the Mona Lisa? It’s a question with no definitive answer, as it will never be auctioned. In 1962, it was valued at $100 million—equivalent to nearly $1 billion today. Since then, the art world’s prices have soared, meaning any estimate today would likely be surpassed if the painting ever did go up for sale.
2. Monna Lisa (Be Back in 5 Minutes)
For most, the Mona Lisa is experienced through a sea of smartphone cameras, as tourists try to capture a shot. Few manage to get close enough, and even fewer are prepared for the shock of just how small the painting actually is. With limited time to take it all in, most visitors focus on her smile, often overlooking the intricate background that stretches behind her—a serene landscape filled with distant mountains, winding paths, and a bridge.
Sophie Matisse, the great-granddaughter of legendary artist Henri Matisse, has devised a captivating series titled 'Be Back in 5 Minutes.' In these works, she reimagines well-known masterpieces, stripping away the human figures to reveal the often-overlooked beauty of the landscapes behind them. One such piece presents the breathtaking scenery that would be visible if only Mona Lisa herself were to step aside.
1. Mona Lisa
Every artist has their own distinctive approach to conveying ideas, and Fernando Botero is no exception. Known for his unique style, Botero's paintings and sculptures feature exaggerated, overinflated figures that seem to take up every inch of space they inhabit, creating a playful yet thought-provoking commentary on size, form, and perception.
In Botero’s rendition, the Mona Lisa transforms from the slender, refined figure of Leonardo’s painting into a fuller, more rounded form. Despite the differences in shape, both versions share that same elusive expression, which invites varied interpretations depending on whether you’re gazing at Botero's plump figure or Leonardo's delicate one.
Botero has created multiple takes on the Mona Lisa, one of which is 'Mona Lisa, Age Twelve,' depicting the subject as a pale, sickly young girl with a curious greenish hue. Without the title, it might be difficult to recognize who she’s meant to be, as her appearance strays far from the iconic figure we associate with the name.
