‘It’s our Mona Lisa’: ‘Going to the Match’ set to sell for $9M
More than two decades after it opened, a Mona Lisa painting will be on public display in Los Angeles for a new price.
The famous painting, which once hung in the Louvre, is now on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum through March 13.
“For many of us, this is the moment the Mona Lisa is going to be our Mona Lisa,” said curator Paul A. Kael.
The Mona Lisa painting — which was once part of the Louvre collection — is believed to be worth $9 million. The art piece was on display at the museum until late last year, when it was transferred to auction company Christie’s.
Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in history, with its portrait of a smiling, blonde woman caught in what is believed to be a self-portrait. The painting is believed to have first seen the light of day in Italy sometime between 1503 and 1519.
“This painting’s story is an astonishing one,” said Christie’s Senior Vice President of Art Sales, Dan Sartore. “It’s been owned by some of the most prestigious and influential collectors in the world since the end of the 1600s. It’s been sold multiple times over the past century and it’s only the second time anyone has ever put a price tag on it.”
“It’s truly one of the world’s great masterpieces,” Sartore added. “And this is the most significant sale it has ever seen.”
The painting’s new owner will pay $5 million for the painting.
It comes as the market for art seems to thrive at auction. Last month, Christie’s offered a series of works by Monet and Rembrandt for sale for almost $35 million. Last summer, Christie’s auctioned more than 150,000 works of art at less than $2 each.
“It’s been a very good year so far for art,” said Kael, who is known for