The 16th-century portrait Mona Lisa , or La Gioconda La Joconde , painted in oil on a poplar panel by Leonardo da Vinci , has been the subject of a considerable deal of speculation. It has for a long time been argued that after Leonardo's death the painting was cut down by having part of the panel at both sides removed. Early copies depict columns on both sides of the figure. Only the edges of the bases can be seen in the original. The latter view was bolstered during and when an international team of 39 specialists undertook the most thorough scientific examination of the Mona Lisa yet undertaken. Beneath the frame the current one was fitted to the Mona Lisa in there was discovered a "reserve" around all four edges of the panel.