The Mona Lisa

Leonardo da Vinci
Artist Leonardo da Vinci
Date 1503-1505
Medium Oil on poplar panel
Collection Louvre Museum

Download

Standard Quality
1225 x 1800 pixels · 1.79 MB · JPEG
Premium Quality
7518 x 11042 pixels · 61.46 MB · JPEG

About the Artist

Leonardo da Vinci
Italian (1452-1519)
A true Renaissance genius, he excelled not only in painting, but also in science, engineering, anatomy, and architecture. He approached art with a scientific mind, and science with an artist’s eye. His notebooks are filled with studies of the human body, flight, nature, and machines that were centuries ahead of their time. He painted with unmatched skill and subtlety, capturing emotion and movement like no one else of his era. Works like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are celebrated worldwide for their technical brilliance and psychological depth. He left behind a legacy of curiosity, invention, and beauty that continues to inspire.

Master’s Palette

The Mona Lisa (1503- 1505)-palette by Leonardo da Vinci

Artwork Story

The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the most enigmatic and celebrated portraits in art history. Her subtle, mysterious smile and the dreamlike landscape behind her have captivated viewers for centuries. The delicate sfumato technique—soft, smoky transitions between colors—gives her face an almost lifelike presence, as if she might speak at any moment. The painting’s composition, with her hands folded gracefully and gaze meeting the viewer, creates an intimate yet elusive connection. Some speculate the subject was Lisa Gherardini, a Florentine merchant’s wife, but her identity remains shrouded in legend.

Beyond its technical mastery, the Mona Lisa embodies Renaissance ideals of harmony and humanism. The winding rivers and hazy mountains in the background suggest depth and infinity, contrasting with her poised stillness. Over time, the work has inspired countless theories—from hidden symbols to stolen art heists—yet its quiet power lies in its simplicity. A single glance feels like a conversation across time, leaving us to wonder what secrets lie behind that knowing smile.


View More Artworks