Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa

INTRODUCTION Oscar Wilde once said, “Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.” A portrait is defined as either a painting, picture, sculpture, or any form of artistic representation of a person, where the person’s facial expression is the main focus of the artwork. The goal of a portrait is so showcase the mood, attitude, or even characteristic of the person. In most cases, a portrait illustrates a person looking directly at the painter with just their head and shoulders being drawn, which often creates a dramatic tone or sense of being watched by the viewer. So what makes a portrait so special and captivating to the eye? Artists Leonardo da Vinci and Johannes Vermeer have left a mark on the importance and compelling factors of a portrait. Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” is one of the most famous paintings in the world. His use of color and details “Mona Lisa” developed many controversies on the analysis of the painting. As for Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl …show more content…
The painting is painted with oil on wood. It is said that this painting is “the greatest treasure of Renaissance art.” ("Mona Lisa, Leonardo Da Vinci: Analysis, Interpretation"). The reason behind this, aside from the incredible details and blends of color, but rather the mystery and different theories behind this painting.
First, who is in the painting? As stated above, the most common answer is that is of Lisa Gheradini, however some believe that this portrait is a self-portrait of Leonardo himself, stating that the painting has similar features to him ("Mona Lisa"). Da Vinci was more than artist, he was also a scientist and a doctor. He used to study the human form and structure, which all showcased in this painting. From the details of her body posture to her facial