Mona Lisa Woman Essay Example

environment from his imagination, while some believe it depicts a real place. Regardless, Leonardo's innovation and standards achieved with the Mona Lisa are groundbreaking.

Previous artists employed diverse techniques in portrait painting, particularly in terms of posture and demeanor. In the past, women would avert their gaze from the viewers, an approach that Leonardo deviated from by having the subject make direct eye contact. Moreover, traditional paintings often cropped the portraits of both men and women at the middle of their torsos. Nevertheless, in the case of the Mona Lisa, Leonardo depicts the subject's head, upper torso, and a significant portion of her lower body down to the waist. Additionally, rather than raising her hands to dominate the frame as seen in earlier paintings, the subject of the Mona Lisa leisurely rests her hands on an armrest. These innovative techniques ushered in a new era in portrait painting during that time.

Throughout the years, the audience has been captivated by the Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile, making it arguably the most renowned piece of artwork globally. This curiosity has attracted art enthusiasts from all over to visit the Louvre in France and witness the painting. The mysterious expression on the subject's face has sparked numerous interpretations, adding to the fascination surrounding the artwork. Furthermore, it is widely believed that Leonardo never completed the painting, raising speculation about its final state. According to Gardner and Kleiner (7), artistic creations are influenced by factors like materials, techniques, and colors. Artists may choose various materials, such as gold, clay, or marble, to bring their visions to life.

According to Gardner and Kleiner (7), technique refers to the approach an artist takes

to manipulate their materials. In the case of the Mona Lisa, Leonardo used populous as the canvas for his subject. The authors also mention that artists perceive light in relation to objects and pigments, which is known as subtractive light. Leonardo employed the use of color by incorporating dark shades to create a sense of depth and perspective in his painting.

The theme can be seen in different aspects of the artwork, including the subject's neck.
Works Cited Gardner, Helen, and Fred S. Kleiner.

Gardner's Art through the Ages: A Global History

. Australia: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2014. Print.

Kuligowski, Stephanie.
Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance artist and inventor.
New York: Sage Publishers, 2012. Print.

; Wood, Alix.; Leonardo Da Vinci. New York: Windmill Books, 2013. Print.