Mona Lisa
LEONARDO DA VINCI, C. 1503-1506
What better place to begin than with Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci—possibly the most famous painting in the world? This Italian Renaissance piece is thought to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, commissioned by her wealthy husband, Francesco del Giocondo. The painting is also known as La Gioconda, referencing her married name.
Have you ever wondered why this painting has achieved such notoriety? I can offer a few technical reasons: First, the portrait showcases da Vinci’s mastery of a technique called sfumato—a layering of translucent colors to produce subtle blends that merge shadows seamlessly over a form. Note the soft curvature of her brow, cheeks, and mouth. Second, da Vinci was innovative in his approach. He painted Lisa at half length from a three-quarter view at a time when full-length profiles were the norm, forever altering the direction of portraiture.
An enormous and almost uncanny amount of attention has been showered on Mona Lisa, especially within the last century. A host of theories and questions have cropped up over the years: Is the painting a self-portrait of da Vinci in disguise? Did she once have eyebrows and eyelashes? And what is up with that mysterious landscape behind her? Although we have more answers now than ever before, Lisa’s mysterious smile suggests that we may never know the full story. —DDG