Let’s consider how much is the Mona Lisa worth today? Additionally, what makes a painting expensive? And finally, how is it the Mona Lisa is valued so highly?
On December 14, 1962 the Mona Lisa was assessed through an insurance evaluation at $100 million which with a 3.88% yearly inflation rate is equivalent to $1 billion dollars today in 2023.
If we look further at the Mona Lisa we can try to better understand what makes it so expensive and consider if it will ever be sold at auction as well as exploring other expensive paintings.
How Much Is Mona Lisa Worth Today? – Key Takeaways
- The Mona Lisa, valued at an estimated $1 billion in today’s currency, is deemed irreplaceable by the Louvre Museum.
- However, it should be noted that the Mona Lisa is only valued at that by insurance. Private buyers would likely pay more if it was ever sold.
- French law strictly prohibits the sale of the Mona Lisa as it is considered part of French national heritage.
- Some reasons why the Mona Lisa is so expensive are that:
- It holds historical significance
- It evokes emotion and mystery
- It was stolen and recovered in 1911
- It is the most recognizable painting globally
- It was hidden from German forces during World War II
- Lastly, it’s simply a masterful work done by a renowned artist a long time ago
- Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa around 1503. It wasn’t until 1844 that was put on display at Louvre Museum in Paris
- The fame and global recognition the Mona Lisa received was largely brought on by theft in 1911.
How Much Was the Mona Lisa Evaluated at?
In 1962, the iconic painting found itself under an extensive insurance evaluation process. The team assessing the artwork’s value came to a staggering figure: $100 million—a landmark valuation within the art world then. The evaluation echoed a broader recognition of the profound importance of the Mona Lisa as much more than just a painting—extending into the realms of culture, history, and collective human imagination.
The second time it was evaluated was shared by a Guinness World Record office in 2017. While not widely recognized as an actual price but it was given an estimated value of more than $860 million. The estimation makes the Mona Lisa considerably more expensive than the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction – Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi, which sold for $450 million in 2017.
How The Value of Mona Lisa is Estimated?
Estimating the value of the Mona Lisa is no simple task. The first thing to understand is that her value isn’t purely established based on the cost of materials or even the immense skill of da Vinci.
Her value is estimated based on a combination of
- historical significance
- cultural impact
- recognition
- artistic innovation
Leonardo da Vinci introduced innovative painting techniques in the creation of the Mona Lisa, such as using sfumato to create a foggy effect, blurring the lines and edges to give the painting a more realistic look.
Who Owned the Mona Lisa Previously? (History of the Mona Lisa)
Leonardo Da Vinci himself was the original owner of the Mona Lisa. Following his death, the artwork changed hands multiple times throughout the centuries, contributing to its dramatic history. Initially, the painting was commissioned by Francesco del Giocondo. Still, after Da Vinci’s death, it was purchased by King Francis I of France, marking the initiation of the Mona Lisa’s royal lineage.
Here are some key bullet points on the History of the Mona Lisa:
- Leonardo Da Vinci was the original owner of the Mona Lisa.
- The painting was commissioned by Francesco del Giocondo.
- After Da Vinci’s death, King Francis I of France acquired it, initiating its royal connection.
- The Mona Lisa found its home in the Louvre Museum in the late 18th century due to the French Revolution.
- By the 19th century, it was acknowledged as a key High Renaissance artwork.
- Its global fame surged after its theft in 1911 by Vincenzo Perugia.
- Following its recovery, the Mona Lisa became the Louvre’s most prized possession.
- The French government classifies it as an integral part of the nation’s indivisible heritage, emphasizing its invaluable history and significance.
Most Expensive Paintings Sold In Comparison to Mona Lisa
The most expensive paintings in the world are:
1. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci ($450 million)
2. Interchange by Willem de Kooning ($300 million)
3. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne (~250 million)
4. Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin ($210 million)
5. Orange Marilyn by Andy Warhol ($200 million).
While the Mona Lisa remains priceless and beyond the realms of any art auction, other paintings have been sold for significant values. At a staggering $450 million, Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” broke the record for the most expensive painting ever sold. This sale, conducted at Christie’s, New York, in November 2017, underpins the enormous market value commanded by the master’s works.
Next, we have “Interchange” by Willem de Kooning which was sold in September 2015. The painting was reportedly purchased by Kenneth C. Griffin for approximately $300 million, making it one of the most expensive paintings ever sold at the time only later topped by Da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi”.
What Is the Most Expensive Painting?
Again, topping the charts of extravagant art transactions is the infamous ‘Salvator Mundi,’ another creation attributed to the legendary Italian genius, Leonardo da Vinci.
This artwork, though shrouded in a bed of controversy questioning its authenticity, was sold for a staggering $450.3 million at Christie’s auction in November 2017.
Created around 1500, the painting portrays an image of Christ bestowing a benediction with his right hand while holding an ethereal, transparent crystal orb in his left hand.
What Are Some Other Top Most Expensive Paintings?
In the world of fine art, there are quite a few paintings renowned for their staggering selling prices – each one a masterpiece in its own right. Apart from the Mona Lisa and ‘Salvator Mundi’, other notable paintings include ‘Interchange’ by Willem de Kooning, a visually stunning piece of abstract expressionism that sold for approximately $300 million in a private sale. Also, ‘The Card Players’ by Paul Cézanne, one in a series of five paintings, which fetched a similar price. Both of these transactions rank amongst the most expensive in the world.
Here is a table with some other of the most expensive paintings ever sold:
| Artwork | Sale Price (from high to low) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Salvator Mundi (ca. 1500) by Leonardo da Vinci | $450.3 million | 2017 |
| Interchange by Willem de Kooning | ~$300 million (Private sale) | 2015 |
| The Card Players by Paul Cézanne | $250 million to $300 million | 2011 |
| Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin | ~$210 million | 2015 |
| Orange Marilyn by Andy Warhol | ~$200 million | 2022 |
| Number 17A’ by Jackson Pollock | ~$200 million (Private sale) | 2015 |
| No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko | $186 million | 2014 |
| ‘Wasserschlangen II’ by Gustav Klimt | $183 million | 2013 |
| Rembrandt van Rijn, Pendant Portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit (1634) | $180 million | 2015 |
| Les Femmes d’Alger (“Version O”) (1955) by Pablo Picasso | $179.4 million | 2015 |
| Masterpiece (1962) by Roy Lichtenstein | $165 million | 2017 |
| Le Rêve (1932) by Pablo Picasso | $155 million | 2013 |
| Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II (1912) by Gustav Klimt | $150 million | 2006 |
| Les Femmes d’Alger (“Version O”) (1955) by Pablo Picasso | $149 million | 2015 |
| Georges Seurat, Les Poseuses, Ensemble (Petite version), 1888 | $149 million | 2022 |
| Twelve Landscape Screens (1925) by Qi Baishi | $140.8 million | 2017 |
| Paul Cézanne, La Montagne Sainte-Victoire, 1888–90 | $137.8 million | 2022 |
| Woman III (1953) by Willem de Kooning | $137.5 million | 2006 |
| Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled, 1982 | $110.5 million | 2017 |
| Gustav Klimt, Birch Forest, 1903 | $104.6 million | 2023 |
| Sandro Botticelli Portrait of a Young Man Holding a Roundel (1480) | $92.2 million | 2022 |
| Lucian Freud, Large Interior, W11 (after Watteau), 1981–83 | $86.3 million | 2022 |
| Andy Warhol, White Disaster [White Car Crash 19 Times], 1963 | $85.4 million | 2022 |
| Francis Bacon, Triptych Inspired by the Oresteia of Aeschylus (1981) | $84.6 million | 2020 |
| Portrait of Dr. Gachet (1890) by Vincent van Gogh | $82.5 million | 1990 |
| René Magritte, Empire of Light (L’empire des lumières), 1961 | $79.7 million | 2022 |
| Bal Du Moulin De La Galette (1876) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir | $78.1 million | 1990 |
| Peter Paul Rubens, Lot and His Daughters (ca. 1613–14) | $58.1 million | 2016 |
| Clyfford Still, PH-144 (1947-Y-NO.1) (1947) | $60.7 million | 2011 |
| Raphael, Head of a Young Apostle (ca. 1519–21) | $47.8 million | 2012 |
| J. M. W. Turner, Rome, from Mount Aventine (1836) | $47.6 million | 2014 |
| Raphael, Head of a Muse (ca. 1510) | $47.5 million | 2009 |
| Roy Lichtenstein, Nude with Joyous Painting (1994) | $46.2 million | 2020 |
| J. M. W. Turner, Modern Rome – Campo Vaccino (1839) | $45 million | 2010 |
| Francesco Guardi, Venice, a view of the Rialto Bridge, Looking North (1760s) | $43 million | 2011 |
| Cy Twombly, Untitled (Bolsena) (1969) | $42.7 million | 2020 |
| David Hockney, Nichols Canyon (1980) | $41 million | 2020 |
| Ren Renfa, Five Drunken Princes Returning on Horseback (13th Century–14th Century) | $39.5 million | 2020 |
| Flag (1954) by Jasper Johns | $36 million | 2010 |
| Gerhard Richter, Abstraktes Bild (649-2) (1987) | $34.2 million | 2016 |
| Barnett Newman, Onement V (1948) | $30.9 million | 2020 |
| Brice Marden, Complements (2004–07) | $30.9 million | 2020 |
| Pablo Picasso, Les femmes d’Alger (version ‘F’) (1955) | $29.22 million | 2020 |
| Joan Miró, Femme au chapeau rouge (1927) | $28.7 million | 2020 |
What Makes a Painting Expensive?
What grants a painting its astronomical cost isn’t merely the combination of canvas and paint forming an image. Rather, it’s a blend of elements such as the ones listed below:
- Historical Importance: Paintings with significant historical context or those that mark pivotal moments in art history tend to be highly valued.
- Artist Reputation: Works by renowned and celebrated artists, especially those from the canon of art history like Van Gogh, Picasso, or Da Vinci, typically command higher prices.
- Provenance: A well-documented history of ownership, especially if previously held by notable collectors or institutions, can add value to a painting.
- Scarcity: If an artist has a limited number of works, or if certain pieces are rarely available on the market, their value might increase.
- Condition: Paintings that have been well-preserved and are in excellent condition tend to be more expensive.
- Aesthetic Appeal: While subjective, paintings that are deemed exceptionally beautiful or striking can fetch higher prices.
- Cultural Significance: Artworks that resonate with or reflect crucial cultural or societal moments can become particularly sought after.
- Innovativeness: Works that introduced new techniques, styles, or perspectives can be highly valued for their groundbreaking nature.
- Historical Events: Paintings associated with significant events, such as thefts or controversies, can sometimes have their value enhanced due to the added narrative.
- Market Trends: The art market’s dynamics, including demand from collectors, economic conditions, and trends in art collecting, can influence a painting’s price.
- Size: Although not always the case, larger works can sometimes command higher prices due to the scale and impact.
- Authentication: Paintings that have been thoroughly researched and authenticated can be more valuable than those with uncertain attributions.
- Exhibition History: Artworks that have been showcased in major museums or prominent exhibitions often gain additional prestige and value.
To summarize, a painting’s price tag encapsulates much more than the observable image. It’s an amalgamation of fame, influence, rarity, history, and market forces. Given all these elements, it is clear why some art can command such exorbitant prices.
Other Related Questions and Mona Lisa Facts
How Much Is the Mona Lisa Worth 2023?
The Mona Lisa was never sold at auction, and it probably never will be. However, in December 14, 1962 it was assessed through an insurance evaluation at $100 million which with a 3.88% yearly inflation rate is equivalent to $1 billion dollars today in 2023.
Why Is the Mona Lisa So Famous?
The Mona Lisa’s fame is, in part, a result of its enigmatic allure, but it is also due to its unprecedented artistic achievement and a series of historical events.
Painted by the renowned Leonardo da Vinci, the Mona Lisa is celebrated for its enigmatic smile, masterful use of the “sfumato” blending technique, and the intricate landscape backdrop. The ongoing debate over the subject’s true identity, believed to be Lisa Gherardini, coupled with its dramatic theft in 1911 and return to the Louvre, has magnified its global fame. Further elevated by media and cultural references, this iconic piece, housed in the Louvre and protected behind bulletproof glass, stands as a testament to Renaissance portraiture and da Vinci’s pioneering techniques.
What About the Isleworth Mona Lisa?
(Shown in the title photo of this post) Isleworth Mona Lisa, was the version originally acclaimed by Da Vinci and his contemporaries.
Held privately within a collection in Britain, the Isleworth Mona Lisa offers a significant layer of captivating depth to the mystique that surrounds the Mona Lisa and sparks further debate on authenticity.
However, even with the existence of this alternate painting, none of these versions detract from the allure of the Mona Lisa we know and revere, but rather they add an interesting twist to an already fascinating narrative.
Who Owns the Mona Lisa?
“The Mona Lisa” is owned by the French government. The famous portrait has been the property of France ever since King Francis I, known as the “Patron of Arts,” acquired it in the 16th century.
Important to note, in France, key cultural works such as the Mona Lisa are considered inalienable parts of national heritage and are protected from being sold or transferred to non-French entities.
Who Painted the Mona Lisa?
“The Mona Lisa” was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
Da Vinci, part of the Italian renaissance era, produced this influential piece of art between 1503 and 1506, though some historians argue that he continued to refine it till 1517. Da Vinci’s unmatched prowess in observing and capturing human emotions, backed by his unparalleled talent to blend light, color, and detail, results in the Mona Lisa’s famed mysterious allure.
What Was the Mona Lisa Worth in the 1960s?
In the 1960s, “The Mona Lisa” underwent an evaluation for insurance purposes and was valued to be worth $100 million. In today’s inflated economy, that amount would approximately translate to a whopping $1 billion.
The assessment, done in the anticipation of Mona Lisa being exhibited briefly in the United States, raised several eyebrows due to its escalating figure. One must remember that the valuation was not based on auction bidding or actual sale but purely on insurance calculations.
How Much Did It Cost da Vinci to Paint the Mona Lisa?
Monetarily speaking, the creation wouldn’t have cost Leonardo much. Accounting for inflation, the canvas, paints, brushes, and varnish used would cost approximately $160 in today’s times.
However, let’s bear in mind that the true expenditure wasn’t about the physical materials but the time, effort, and skill that da Vinci put into this masterpiece. Translated into today’s terms, if an artist of da Vinci’s stature were to spend around four years on a single painting, the overall cost would indeed be staggering.
Side note: Interestingly, a study conducted by Dutch economists in 2016 valued the time taken to paint the Mona Lisa at around $1.5 million. These figures were calculated based on average income over lifetime, adjusted to 2014 dollars.
In essence, it’s crucial to recognize the invaluable time spent and sheer genius Leonardo employed in the creation process, which undoubtedly increase the painting’s worth far beyond mere financial appraisal.
How Old Is the Mona Lisa?
The Mona Lisa, or La Gioconda as she is referred to in Italy, is impressively over 500 years old. Painted by da Vinci in the early 16th century, the artwork dates back to approximately 1503. However, it is widely believed that da Vinci continued to add finishing touches to the portrait until 1506, overlaying the painting with multiple thin layers of paint (also known as glazes), which gives the artwork an extraordinary sense of depth and volume.
How Many Times Has the Mona Lisa Been Valued?
The Mona Lisa has been officially valued twice in history. The first time in the 1960s when a monetary value of $100 million was determined, for insurance purposes following her tour to the United States. Adjusted for inflation, this figure comes close to $1 billion today.
The second instance not widely recognized as an actual price but rather an estimated value of more than $860 million. This figure was shared by a Guinness World Record office in 2017. This estimation makes the Mona Lisa considerably more expensive than the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction – Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi, which sold for $450 million in 2017.
Can You Buy the Mona Lisa?
No, unfortunately, you cannot buy the Mona Lisa.
One of the hurdles is France’s legal provision which stipulates that artworks classified as “national treasures” cannot be sold.
The curiosity doesn’t end there; even if someone were to whip up a means to acquire the painting, it would still effectively remain a property of the French government and leaving the country with it would be a legal impossibility.
Thus, despite the common notion that anything can be attained if the price is right, the Mona Lisa humbly defies such norms. It is, for all practical purposes, unattainable.
Who Was Mona Lisa in Real Life?
Many believe ‘La Joconde’, or the Mona Lisa, was none other than Lisa Gherardini.
To dismiss the mystery, she was a Florentine woman, married to Francesco del Giocondo, a silk merchant. Born and raised in Florence, Italy, Lisa’s serene yet mystifying facial expression has been the fulcrum of several debates and hypotheses.
Her husband commissioned Leonardo da Vinci for the portrait, which led to the creation of a masterpiece that has captivated the world for centuries.
While it’s impossible to know for certain, it’s generally accepted that Leonardo’s sitter was indeed, Lisa Gherardini, a woman of average social standing who unknowingly became the face of the most priceless artwork known to humankind.
What’s the Most Valuable Painting in the World?
The most valuable painting in the world is Leonardo da Vinci’s legendary masterpiece, the “Salvator Mundi.”
Currently, Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” stands unchallenged as the most expensive artwork ever sold at a public auction at $450 million at Christie’s, New York, in November 2017.
How Much Is the Salvator Mundi Painting Worth?
The “Salvator Mundi,” a portrait of Christ painted by Leonardo da Vinci, fetched a staggering sum of $450.3 million in a historic Christie’s New York auction in November 2017 which is worth ~$565 million today in 2023.
Zack is the creator and main author of LateNightPortrait. As a late starter himself, he believes that anyone, regardless of age, can create something special through practicing art. He spends most evenings drawing portraits and figures while listening to music. When not drawing or painting he can be found going for walks with his wife and attempting (and often failing) to train his dog.