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Before 1911, the Mona Lisa was famous among art critics but wasn't the household name it is today.

In the early 20th century, the Mona Lisa transitioned from a celebrated Renaissance masterpiece to a global pop-culture icon. This shift wasn't just due to its artistry, but a series of dramatic events that redefined its status in the modern age. 🖼️ The Theft of 1911 mona-lisa-20th-century-thumb.jpg

: This act of "readymade" art suggested that the painting had become so famous it was now a mere commodity. 🏭 Pop Art and Reproduction Before 1911, the Mona Lisa was famous among

: In 1919, he created L.H.O.O.Q. , simply drawing a mustache and goatee on a postcard of the painting. 🖼️ The Theft of 1911 : This act

: It reflected how the 20th century consumed art like a commercial product—processed, repeated, and sold.