On which material is the famous painting Mona Lisa created?

Introduction / Context:
The Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in the world and is often used as an example in art history and general knowledge questions. While many people recognise the painting and its artist, fewer are aware of the exact material on which it was painted. This question tests that specific piece of knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The painting concerned is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.
• The options list stone, wood, paper, and metal sheet as possible supports.
• We assume the standard art historical description of the work held in the Louvre Museum.

Concept / Approach:
The Mona Lisa is a panel painting created using oil paint on a wooden panel, specifically a poplar wood panel. It is not a canvas, paper, stone, or metal sheet painting. Recognising that many Renaissance paintings were done on wooden panels helps narrow down the correct choice among the different materials mentioned.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa during the Renaissance period.Step 2: Remember that panel paintings from this era were typically executed on wood rather than on stone, paper, or metal.Step 3: Identify that art references describe the Mona Lisa as an oil painting on a poplar wood panel.Step 4: Compare this information with the options and select wood as the correct material.

Verification / Alternative check:
Art catalogues and museum descriptions of the Mona Lisa clearly state that it is an oil on wood panel painting. The Louvre Museum, where the painting is displayed, also describes it as painted on a poplar wood panel. There is no mention of stone, paper, or metal sheet as the support, so this evidence verifies that wood is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Stone: Paintings on stone exist, but Mona Lisa is not one of them and there is no evidence of it being executed on stone.
Paper: Paper is commonly used for sketches and prints, but the Mona Lisa is a finished panel painting, not a work on paper.
Metal sheet: Some later artworks use metal supports, but Leonardo's famous portrait is not on a metal sheet.

Common Pitfalls:
Many people assume that all famous paintings are on canvas and may not pay attention to the specific medium used in earlier periods. Since canvas is not listed here, some candidates may guess paper or stone without recalling the art historical details. To avoid confusion, it is helpful to remember that Mona Lisa is a Renaissance oil painting on a wooden panel, which is a common support for works from that era.

Final Answer:
The Mona Lisa is painted in oil on a wooden panel, so the correct material is wood.