I just watched a doc that mentioned Paris as the city of the Mona Lisa and wondered what is it that makes that painting so special after all these years. Btw, im in Asia and Ive seen the painting countless times through references. I cant remember the first time I heard/saw the painting but it must’ve been when I was a toddler. How can an image get so famous?
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Art theft and vandalism fame aside, there are a few notable and mysterious features of the Mona Lisa:
* It was painted by noted polymath and inventor Leonardo da Vinci, who would likely be famous even if he didn’t paint the Mona Lisa.
* It’s a great example of sfumato, a technique that causes the painting to look exceptionally smooth, blended, and life-like. This allows the image to look natural even though she has no visible eyebrows or eyelashes anymore (the original painting probably had both).
* Her eyes are fixed on the viewer, and her gaze is very enticing.
* She bares a very very slight smile.
* This is one of the first famous *portraits* to feature a fantastical, imaginary landscape as the backdrop.
Simply put, the Mona Lisa is mysterious looking and like many great works of art, makes us wonder. But as others have noted, there is no reason to believe the Mona Lisa is the greatest painting, or even da Vinci’s greatest painting, or that it excels in any of the qualities listed above any better than other works.
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