Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was an Italian Renaissance polymath: an architect, anatomist, sculptor, engineer, inventor, geometer, musician, and painter. He has been described as the archetype of the "Renaissance man" and as a universal genius, a man infinitely curious and infinitely inventive. He is considered one of the greatest painters who ever lived.

"Mona Lisa", da Vinci's famous portrait of an Italian noblewoman, has been featured or spoofed in many Muppet productions and merchandise items. Jim Henson's earliest use of the "Mona Lisa" is in the 1965 short film Time Piece, in which the main character shoots the painting.

ReferencesEdit

Mona LisaEdit

Mona Lisa in Time Piece
1965

Mona and Lisa from Hey Cinderella!

Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum
1974

In the background of Sex and Violence
1975

In the background of the UK Spot from episode 213 of The Muppet Show
1977

Mona MoiMiss Piggy's Treasury of Art Masterpieces
1984

Gonzo graffitis a wall in The Muppets (comic strip)
1984

Muppet Babies closing credits

People In Your Neighborhood View-Master set. Ernie dreams about being a painter and is shown with the Mona Lisa
1987

Great Monsterpieces coloring book
1989

On My Way with Sesame Street Volume 13
1989

Sesame Street song "Sing Your Synonyms"

Oscar in front of Mona Lisa protruding from a trash can (printed on page 111 of Sesame Street Unpaved)

Moaning Lisa
Sesame Street Episode 2789
1991

Elmo's rendition of Right in the Middle of Your Face
Sesame Street Episode 3145
1993

Groana Lisa in Elmo Says BOO!
1997

Muppet Art: 1999 Calendar
1999

Monster LisaSesamstrasse poster and postcard
1999

Museum of Monster Art sticker book
2001

Art created by Joe Mathieu especially for Kermit's song on Thanks & Giving All Year Long
2005

Big Bird's Nest in Sesame Street Season 37 is decorated with a bird variation of the "Groana Lisa" painting seen in the Elmo Says Boo special
2006

The Story of Numberella
Sesame Street episode 3073

Adal Ramones' face instead
Plaza Sésamo Episode 845

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz
2005

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The Vitruvian ManEdit

Kermit as The Vitruvian Manlogo for the 1979 The Art of the Muppets exhibit. Also printed in The Muppet Show Fan Club Newsletter Volume Two, Number Two.

Mona Pigga1986 postcard (Miss Piggy image originally appeared in 1984 as "Mona Moi")

Jim Henson's Muppets Style Guidecover picture

Muppet Celebrity T-shirt
2005

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Other referencesEdit

Added by Scarecroe

• In his book Before You Leap, Kermit talks about his ancestors, including Leonardo Da Frog, "who first gained fame as an artist and inventor before really hitting it big selling cheap decoder rings to gullible tourists."
• "The Last Supper" appears on the wall in the Fiama home in episode 212 of Muppets Tonight.

TriviaEdit

His name was also borrowed for Leonardo, one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, in the eponymous Creature Shop film and its sequel.

External linksEdit

• Mona Lisa Mania