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DAY 5 | A PICTURE’S WORTH 1000 200 WORDS |
Mona Lisa
LEONARDO DA VINCI, C. 1503-1506
What better place to begin than with Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci—possibly the most famous painting in the world? This Italian Renaissance piece is thought to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, commissioned by her wealthy husband, Francesco del Giocondo. The painting is also known as La Gioconda, referencing her married name.
Have you ever wondered why this painting has achieved such notoriety? I can offer a few technical reasons: First, the portrait showcases da Vinci’s mastery of a technique called sfumato—a layering of translucent colors to produce ...
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