There are very few works of art that have captured the attention of so many as Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting, Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa, a painting marveled  and widely recognized by all, art afficiandos and those with very little historical understanding, has stirred many debates, intrigue, analysis for many generations. The enigma, Mona Lisa, has elicited many different interpretations. For some, Mona Lisa’s famous smirk represents mischief. Others view it as a confident and serene gaze.  There are a host of various other interpretations. The various meanings of Mona Lisa’s smile and the overall evasive nature of the painting will continue to be the subject of artistic debates. That is the precise beauty of this painting-it’s inability to be adequately described with a singular explanation. Mona Lisa’s interpretation is a manifestation of our own emotions. Our perception of the painting is a reflection of ourselves. Leonardo Da Vinci was a brilliant painter who was able to translate his artistic prowess into a painting filled with illusions, subtleties, and dimensions that can easily be missed under the most observant eye. Through the use of shadow techniques, intricate placement, masterfully laid planes of symmetry, and imperceptible transitions between color, Leonardo da Vinci is able to create a painting with harmonious balance, cohesion, yet varied enough to create a realm of different possibilities for all viewers.

The painting is cast in such manner in which Mona Lisa’s presence takes precedence over all things. There are mountains and other large geographical features in the backdrop, yet Mona Lisa’s commanding presence is what draws the reader first.  She is sitting at the throne of the mountains and the sky. There are three different planes, the mountain, skies, and Mona Lisa at the forefront. She is the most prominent of all the visual elements. From this intentional placement, we can infer Mona Lisa carries significant authority. She is a woman of high stature, which is further evident by the way she is illustrated. Mona Lisa’s hair seems to endlessly flow down her elegant gown. She looks towards the viewer with an indiscernible gaze that can be interpreted as many emotions: shy, confident, sarcastic. There are a variety of interpretations, yet there is a definite magnetizing quality about her, through the contours Da Vinci has drawn, the radiance of her skin through the yellow-ish hues, and softness of the image itself. There are visual aspects that are very faint, whereas others are more strongly apparent. Da vinci creates a depth perception that mutes certain elements while enhancing others.  Certain aspects of Mona Lisa are faintly drawn whereas others are amplified with color and finer detail. In particular, Mona Lisa’s eyes and lips are the most visually striking components. Other aspects of her appearance are emphasized with less detail and softer shading and border techniques.  Her eyes are slanted at an angle at which creates a mixture of confusion and intrigue. Is she observing the viewer or is she glancing at something in her periphery?