Leonardo used a pyramid design to place the woman simply and calmly in the space of the painting. Her folded hands form the front corner of the pyramid. Her breast, neck and face glow in the same light that softly models her hands. The light gives the variety of living surfaces an underlying geometry of spheres and circles. Leonardo referred to a seemingly simple formula for seated female figure: the images of seated Madonna, which were widely spread at the time. He effectively modified this formula in order to create the visual impression of distance between the sitter and the observer. The armrest of the chair functions as a dividing element between Mona Lisa and us. The woman sits markedly upright with her arms folded, which is also a sign of her reserved posture. Only her gaze is fixed on the observer and seems to welcome him to this silent communication. Since the brightly lit face is practically framed with various much darker elements (hair, veil, shadows), the observer's attraction to Mona Lisa's face is brought to even greater extent. Thus, the composition of the figure evokes an ambiguous effect: we are attracted to this mysterious woman but have to stay at a distance as if she was a divine creature. There is no indication of an intimate dialogue between the woman and the observer like it is the case in the Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione (Louvre) painted by Raphael about ten years after Mona Lisa and undoubtedly influenced by Leonardo's portrait.
The painting was one of the first portraits to depict the sitter before an imaginary landscape. The enigmatic woman is portrayed seated in what appears to be an open loggia with dark pillar bases on either side. Behind her a vast landscape recedes to icy mountains. Winding paths and a distant bridge give only the slightest indications of human presence. The sensuous curves of the woman's hair and clothing, created through sfumato, are echoed in the undulating imaginary valleys and rivers behind her. The blurred outlines, graceful figure, dramatic contrasts of light and dark, and overall feeling of calm are characteristic of Leonardo's style. Due to the expressive synthesis that Leonardo achieved between sitter and the landscape it is arguable whether Mona Lisa should be considered as a portrait, for it represents rather an ideal than a real woman. The sense of overall harmony achieved in the painting—especially apparent in the sitter's faint smile— reflects Leonardo's idea of the cosmic link connecting humanity and nature, making this painting an enduring record of Leonardo's vision and genius.
Mona Lisa's smile has repeatedly been a subject of many - frequently ridiculous - interpretations. Sigmund Freud interpreted the 'smile' as signifying Leonardo's erotic attraction to his dear mother;[14] others have described it as both innocent and inviting. Many researchers have tried to explain why the smile is seen so differently by people. The explanations range from scientific theories about human vision to curious supposition about Mona Lisa's identity and feelings. Professor Margaret Livingstone of Harvard University has argued that the smile is mostly drawn in low spatial frequencies, and so can best be seen from a distance or with one's peripheral vision[15]. Thus, for example, the smile appears more striking when looking at the portrait's eyes than when looking at the mouth itself. Christopher Tyler and Leonid Kontsevich of the Smith-Kettlewell Institute in San Francisco believe that the changing nature of the smile is caused by variable levels of random noise in human visual system.[16] Dina Goldin, Adjunct Professor at Brown University, has argued that the secret is in the dynamic position of Mona Lisa's facial muscles, where our mind's eye unconsciously extends her smile; the result is an unusual dynamicity to the face that invokes subtle yet strong emotions in the viewer of the painting.[17]
In late 2005, Dutch researchers from the University of Amsterdam ran the painting's image through an "emotion recognition" computer software developed in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.[17] The software found the smile to be 83% happy, 9% disgusted, 6% fearful, 2% angry, less than 1% neutral, and not surprised at all. Rather than being a thorough analysis, the experiment was more of a demonstration of the new technology. The faces of ten women of Mediterranean ancestry were used to create a composite image of a neutral expression. Researchers then compared the composite image to the face in the painting. They used a grid to break the smile into small divisions, then checked it for each of six emotions: happiness, surprise, anger, disgust, fear, and sadness
is also notable that Mona Lisa has no visible facial hair at all - including eyebrows and eyelashes. Some researchers claim that it was common at this time for genteel women to pluck them off, since they were considered to be unsightly.[18] [19] Yet it is more reasonable to assume that Leonardo did not finish the painting, for almost all of his paintings are unfinished. Being a perfectionist he always tried to go one step further in improving his technique. Furthermore, other women of the time were predominantly portrayed with eyebrows. For modern viewers the missing eyebrows add to the slightly semi-abstract quality of the face though it was not Leonardo's aim.
The painting has been restored numerous times; X-ray examinations have shown that there are three versions of the Mona Lisa hidden under the present one. The thin poplar backing is beginning to show signs of deterioration at a higher rate than previously thought, causing concern from museum curators about the future of of the painting.........waowww..:)
2007-01-14 05:43:46
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answer #1
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answered by duguu89 1
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It's painted on canvas. Currently displayed in the Louvre in Paris - now behind glass because someone damaged it in the 70s. Artist: Leonardo da Vinci. The secret smile is because she's pregnant - or whatever other theory you choose to select from the many which have been proferred over the years.
2007-01-14 03:20:27
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answer #2
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answered by cymry3jones 7
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The Mona Lisa in interior the Louvre in Paris, capital of France. you will discover her in a small room purely of the Grand Gallery of the Denon wing. pay attention in spite of the undeniable fact that, you will might desire to que to work out her and you will not get interior 8-10 ft of her simply by new wood barrier it is been errected. Bon possibility/Buona fortuna
2016-10-07 03:34:39
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answer #3
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answered by ? 4
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Being a master of drawing images is simple with assistance from Realistic Pencil Portrait Mastery guide from here https://tr.im/X7Nje .
With Realistic Pencil Portrait Mastery guide you'll got that called Lesson Brain Maps and each of the lesson comes with what are called “Process” or “Mind” maps. They're basically outline summaries of what was included in each of the lessons.
With Realistic Pencil Portrait Mastery you will also get 100 Large Resolution Guide Pictures since if you are going to practice your symbol pulling, then you definitely are likely to require reference pictures. That benefit contains 100 top quality black and bright images composed of 70 looks and 30 skin features. Really practical!
2016-05-02 20:23:48
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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yeah it was drwn on a canvas and the monalisa was actually the artist in his wn image thats why she was well a wierd looking but then he made it to be a woman. He also gave her a what i beleive is a faint smile that has had peopl puzzled since it was made. I really hoped i helped some
2007-01-14 03:08:45
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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it is a painting by da vinci, it is a small sketch and paint of a model, it was not as some people believe a transvestite painter doing a self portrait. the enigmatic smile that the artist captured is as famous as the artist. LF
2007-01-14 03:17:09
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answer #6
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answered by lefang 5
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Google it. The proper name for the painting is 'La Jaconde', and it's in the Louvre, Paris.
Why do so many kids use answers instead of properly researching for their homework?
2007-01-15 19:48:50
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answer #7
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answered by Orla C 7
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the identity of the mona lisa has been confirmed as a real female living during the time. her name escapes me, but it does have lisa in it.
2007-01-14 03:16:39
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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It's a man in drag
2007-01-14 03:05:51
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answer #9
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answered by Nikki 4
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She lost her Smile.
2007-01-14 03:30:25
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answer #10
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answered by Nunya B 1
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