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The saying, “An image speaks a thousand words,” applies to many artworks, but Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has, for centuries, remained an enigma that baffles art experts, historians, and audiences alike.
Housed in the Louvre, this small yet iconic painting is frequently celebrated as “the most famous, most visited, most discussed, most sung about, and most imitated piece of art globally.” Delving deeper into the enigmatic smile of the woman in the portrait uncovers layers of intrigue beyond its surface.
10. The Identity of the Woman
The real identity of the subject in the portrait continues to be shrouded in mystery. Most scholars agree that the woman depicted is 24-year-old Lisa Maria de Gherardini (also known as Lisa del Giocondo), a Florentine noblewoman born in 1479.
The painting was commissioned by her spouse, Francesco di Bartolomeo di Zanobi del Giocondo. Living a modest middle-class life, her husband was a merchant specializing in silk and cloth. Together, they raised five children: Piero, Andrea, Camilla, Giocondo, and Marietta.
Alternative theories propose that the figure in the artwork resembles Caterina Sforza, the Countess of Forli, known for her military prowess. Some speculate the subject could be Giuliano de’ Medici’s lover, the ruler of Florence, or Isabella d’Este, the Marquise of Mantua. There are even claims that the painting depicts da Vinci’s mother or da Vinci himself, given the facial similarities.
9. The Enigmatic Smile of the Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa’s captivating, mysterious, and deeply puzzling smile stands as one of the most enigmatic features of da Vinci’s masterpiece.
For over 500 years, debates have raged over whether she is truly smiling, expressing happiness, or concealing sadness. Harvard University’s Professor Margaret Livingstone explains that the “low spatial frequencies” used in the painting create an illusion of a radiant smile when observers focus on her eyes.
In 2005, Dutch researchers developed “emotion recognition” software, which analyzed the painting and determined it to be 83% happy, 9% disgusted, 6% fearful, 2% angry, less than 1% neutral, and 0% surprised.
Many have noted that her smile seems to transform based on the viewer’s perspective, angle, and distance. Up close, the intricate details suggest a reserved expression, while from afar, she radiates a joyful grin.
8. Hidden Messages
Using microscopic analysis of high-resolution images, Italy’s National Committee for Cultural Heritage discovered a sequence of symbols and numerals subtly embedded in various parts of the painting.
Art historian Silvano Vinceti claims that the initials “LV” are visible in Mona Lisa’s right eye, likely standing for Leonardo da Vinci. The left eye shows faint traces of the letters “CE” or possibly a “B.” Additionally, the bridge in the backdrop displays the number “72” or an “L” followed by a “2” on its arch.
It raises questions about the artist’s intent behind these hidden letters and numbers, which remain invisible without magnification.
7. The Mysterious Bridge
While Mona Lisa’s face captivates most viewers, the ethereal backdrop behind her raises questions about the exact setting of the enigmatic landscape, particularly the three-arched bridge.
According to Italian historian Carla Glori, the bridge visible over Mona Lisa’s left shoulder is likely the Ponte Gobbo or Ponte Vecchio (“Old Bridge”), located in Bobbio, a quaint village nestled in the hills south of Piacenza in northern Italy.
Glori’s hypothesis aligns with Vinceti’s discovery of the number “72” concealed within the bridge. She believes this refers to the year 1472, when a catastrophic flood caused the River Trebbia to overflow, destroying Bobbio’s bridge.
In her book The Leonardo Enigma, Glori suggests that “Leonardo included the number 72 beneath the bridge to commemorate the devastating flood of the River Trebbia and to provide a clue for its identification.”
6. The Hypnotic Stare
How does her gaze appear to transcend the painting’s boundaries while simultaneously locking eyes with the viewer? Regardless of your position, her eyes follow you. In a three-dimensional world, shadows and light shift with perspective, but this effect defies the logic of a two-dimensional surface.
This visual effect is explained by a scientific principle highlighted by the University of Ohio, which demonstrates that an image can remain consistent regardless of the viewing angle. Unbeknownst to Leonardo da Vinci, his expert use of chiaroscuro on the canvas produces a strikingly lifelike depth through the interplay of light and shadow.
This phenomenon not only creates depth but also contributes to the Mona Lisa’s mesmerizing and unsettling stare.
5. A Concealed Image Beneath the Portrait
In 2006, scientists in Canada employed infrared and laser imaging on the Mona Lisa, uncovering da Vinci’s preliminary sketches. These included adjustments to the positioning of the index and middle fingers on the left hand. This analysis also revealed intricate details like the lace on Mona Lisa’s dress and a blanket draped over her knees, extending to her stomach.
In 2015, French engineer Pascal Cotte used a similar approach, projecting light beams at different wavelengths onto the painting and measuring the reflected light. His findings unveiled a hidden portrait beneath the Mona Lisa we know today.
Using his “layer amplification method,” Cotte explained, “We can examine the layers of the painting’s creation in detail, peeling them back like an onion.” Beneath the surface, he discovered four images, including one of a younger woman with delicate facial features and no trace of a smile.
Various theories have emerged about the true identity of the woman in the painting, yet her actual face may forever remain an enigma.
4. The Expectant Mona Lisa
Art historians who identify the subject as Lisa del Giocondo also argue that she was pregnant when da Vinci captured her likeness. Her arms resting over her rounded abdomen, along with historical records indicating del Giocondo’s second pregnancy during the painting’s creation, support the theory that Mona Lisa was expecting a child.
Additionally, infrared scans reveal traces of a guarnello (“veil”) draped over her shoulders. A guarnello is a linen garment traditionally worn by pregnant women.
Some speculate that the veil might merely be a scarf or fabric draped over her shoulders. However, Mona Lisa’s hands resting on her stomach, the historical alignment of her pregnancy with del Giocondo’s, and the use of a guarnello in Sandro Botticelli’s portrait of the pregnant Smeralda Brandini suggest she was discreetly concealing a baby bump.
3. The Ailing Mona Lisa
The enigma of Mona Lisa’s asymmetrical smile may have been solved by a Boston physician who observed the painting while waiting in line. Dr. Mandeep R. Mehra identified signs of a glandular disorder, noting her pale skin, thinning hair, and uneven smile.
Mehra, the medical director of the Heart and Vascular Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, admitted his struggle to appreciate art due to his instinct for clinical diagnosis.
Mehra noted a small, fleshy growth in the inner corner of her left eye, her thinning and receding hairline, the absence of eyebrow hair, and a swelling near her index finger. Combined with her yellowish complexion and a neck bulge indicating an enlarged thyroid, he proposed that her peculiar smile might result from muscle weakness.
He concluded that Mona Lisa likely suffered from hypothyroidism, a condition evident in her swollen hands, sparse hair, and the noticeable lump on her neck, all meticulously depicted in da Vinci’s masterpiece.
Mehra delved into the dietary habits of the early 16th century and found that iodine-deficient foods were prevalent. Since iodine is crucial for thyroid function, this discovery may finally explain the mystery behind Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile.
2. The Stolen Masterpiece
In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen by Vincenzo Perugia, an Italian employee at the Louvre. (His surname is sometimes spelled “Peruggia.”) He claimed the painting had been taken from Florence by Napoleon Bonaparte and sought to return it to its “rightful home.”
For two years, the painting’s whereabouts were unknown, sparking global media speculation about its disappearance. In 1913, Perugia contacted Italian art dealer Alfredo Geri, offering to return the Mona Lisa to Florence in exchange for a financial reward from the Italian government.
After the painting’s recovery, doubts arose. Perugia had asked for a relatively small sum, leading some to suspect the theft was a publicity stunt to boost interest in the artwork and the Louvre.
When it was discovered that the thief involved—who had worked with Perugia—was Eduardo de Valfierno, a notorious art forger, theories emerged that the Mona Lisa was stolen to create replicas and sell them to unsuspecting collectors for enormous profits.
1. The Secret to Her Beauty
Over the centuries, the Mona Lisa’s portrait has been celebrated as a symbol of eternal beauty. To attribute her allure solely to her gaze and smile would be reductive, as her charm transcends these elements, evoking a profound and indescribable sense of beauty.
The golden ratio, a dimensional relationship between length and width in rectangles, is considered the most visually appealing proportion. Found in natural forms like sunflower spirals and architectural marvels like the Parthenon, Leonardo da Vinci himself referred to it as the “divine proportion.”
When the golden ratio is applied to a rectangle framing Mona Lisa’s face, her chin, the crown of her head, and her nose align perfectly. This ratio’s presence in the painting likely contributes to the enigmatic fascination it inspires, as her proportions create a harmonious and naturally appealing aesthetic.
Who would have thought that mathematics could unravel the mystery behind her enduring allure?
