The Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo Da Vinci is a portrait artwork

depicting a seated woman named Lisa Del Giocondo. The first thing very
noticeable in the painting is how how the Mona Lisa seems to be very alive. How
everytime you look at the painting at different angles, her eyes seems to follow
our eyes. Another detail that is not recognized by many is the water thin veil that
cover Mona Lisa’s head suggesting that she has a demure personality.

The background landscape behind Mona Lisa was created using aerial
perspective with no clearly defined vanishing points. The winding curves in the
natural landscape in the background of the painting pair with the curves of
Mona Lisa’s body and dress.

Leonardo used a pyramid design to place the woman in the space of the
painting. The pyramid design is often associated with a sitting Madonna. Mona
Lisa can be seen sitting upright and sideways in a chair with her face and chest
turned slightly to the viewers.

Mona Lisa’s left arm sits comfortably on the armrest of the chair and is
clasped by the hand of her right arm which crosses her front. The protective
position of her arms creates a sense of distance between her and the viewer.

Da Vinci also made use of the Sfumato technique to create shadowy

areas in the painting where one shape blends with another. The sfumato
technique used is visible in the soft contouring of the face of Mona Lisa around
the eyes and mouth.

Mona Lisa’s chest, neck, and face glow in the same light that models her
hands.
A very noticeable feature of the painting is how Mona Lisa has no
eyebrows and eyelashes however this was said to be because of the colour
pigment used for these facial features has faded during cleaning.