Who painted Portrait of Gioconda (copy)?

Portrait of Gioconda (copy) was painted by Unknown in 1550.

Where can I see Portrait of Gioconda (copy)?

Portrait of Gioconda (copy) is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of Gioconda (copy)?

Portrait of Gioconda (copy) is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Portrait of Gioconda (copy)

Unknown , 1550

Portrait of Gioconda (copy) is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Unknown. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work, an oil painting on canvas dating from the middle of the sixteenth century, portrays a seated woman whose serene expression and subtle smile echo the compositional conventions of portraiture of the period. The figure dominates the composition, while a muted landscape recedes into an indistinct horizon, directing attention to her face.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is presented with long, dark hair and a modest, dark dress, her hands resting lightly in her lap. The gentle smile and calm demeanor suggest an idealized representation of feminine virtue, a common theme in Renaissance portraiture that balances personal likeness with symbolic poise.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a delicate gradation of light and shadow—chiaroscuro—to model the facial features and drapery, giving the figure a three‑dimensional presence. Smooth transitions in tone create a soft rendering of skin and fabric, while the background is rendered in blurred, atmospheric tones that recede, enhancing the focal depth.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the collection of the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg in 1931 after being transferred from the Antikvariat All‑Union Association, a Soviet-era state agency responsible for art acquisitions. Its creator remains unidentified, and the work has been catalogued as a mid‑16th‑century copy of the famous portrait known as the Mona Lisa.