6 facts about the famous ‘Mona Lisa’ very few people know about

Painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503, ‘Mona Lisa’ is one of the most famous paintings in the world. The beautiful portrait of a woman who has a small, subtle smile on her face has enchanted people from all over the world. So many people have debated for years, questioning if her smile is a smirk or a sensual invitation. When viewed in the Louvre, it is alsmot as if her eyes follow the person in front, and reaches deep into their soul.

The identity of the woman painted in and famous as the ‘Mona Lisa’ has long been a subject of speculation. While many believe that it is the portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of a Florentine merchant who commissioned the painting, others say that it could be another woman, probably Leonardo’s muse!
In fact, some researchers also say that it could be Leonardo himself, hidden in a feminine form, as the facial similarities of Mona Lisa and him are quite similar.

Humans think that there is nothing in the world that money cannot buy. The most beautiful paintings have been sold for millions of dollars which makes us feel that there is a right price for everything. But, it is the Mona Lisa that cannot be bought or sold. While experts estimate that the painting ‘can be’ sold for over 850 million dollars, it is under the ‘French Heritage Law’ a property of the public, and thus cannot be bought or sold to anyone.

Mona Lisa’s smile has always invited questions, speculations, and confusions. Some say that her smile is sensual, others just term it a small smirk, and there are some others who think that it was forced!
People also say that Mona Lisa’s smile is mysterious as it looks differently to different people. It is noted that her smile appears different depending on where you stand in relation to the painting, and it is almost like an optical illusion.

Leonardo da Vinci used many innovative painting techniques in creating the ‘Mona Lisa’. And one such technique, that very few people had used before, was the 'sfumato'. Sfumato is a method of blending colours and tones smoothly together to create a soft transition between light and shadow.
While chiaroscuro helps highlight a particular subject by differentiating light and dark, sfumato helps the whole canvas blend together as one.

The ‘Mona Lisa’ was forever famous in art circles and admired by people far and wide. But, it is said that the Mona Lisa became even more famous due to its theft from the Louvre Museum in 1911. The painting was missing for two years, during which time its absence from public view gave it more hype and thus increased its popularity. When it was recovered in 1913, the incident shot the 'Mona Lisa' to international fame.
The fame also came with allegations that the real Mona Lisa is still hidden somewhere, and the one in public eye is an excellent replica.

Who would not want a painting as beautiful as the Mona Lisa to be in their possession? Well, this one dream came true for Napoleon Bonaparte. It is believed that he had an unusual fascination with the ‘Mona Lisa’ and he kept the painting in his bedroom for several years, believing it brought him good luck. After Napoleon's defeat, the painting was returned to the Louvre.
(All images from - Canva)