Mona Lisa by Andy Warhol
There is no doubt that Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa is the most famous work of art in the public's mind. Set aside any debate of the work's qualities, which have been argued ad nauseum, even on Quora, and instead focus on the underlying reason why this is so - it is renowned for being famous.
Why? It rose to prominence because Da Vinci is regarded as a genius in many fields, and because his inquiry was ardent and widespread, he produced just a few paintings. As a result, rarity is important. The picture was also the subject of one of history's most high-profile art robberies from one of the world's most recognized collections, the Louvre. Third, it is one of the most widely reproduced works of art in history.
The final criterion is important because it refers to the function that media plays in fame. The Mona Lisa has transcended any innate virtues it may have to gain a celebrity aura as a result of constant photographic duplication. In a way, she has become one of the first modern celebrities, a point emphasized by Andy Warhol, the master of the iconic, in his screen print replication.
