The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
This painting shows a portrait of a woman that is surrounded by her riches. She has her hair and head convered by a veil, and her faint smile runs across her face with her hands crossed to ccapture the gaze of the viewer. Her eyes stares directly at the viewer, and this was very exceptional for a portrait of a woman (Kalz 23).
The Innovative Approach
She seems to be assured and contented. However, until now, male and female portraits were usually cut off at the mid section of the abdomen and the hands are usually raised to show the shoulders at the panel of the painting, head and face (Kalz 23). Such a view implies that the whole person is seen, instead of their sliver. The approach applied by Leonardo was innovative and would begin a trend in painting which would influence the paintings of the Europeans into the 1800s.
The Naturalism of the Woman
The manner in which the artist had rendered the women's body is exceptional, but it reveals the jump forward in the naturalism level that was made by Italian painters since 1400 to 1500 (Kalz 23). Leonardo utilizes a technique that shows how light bounces off the skin of the woman in some parts leaving other parts in darker shades (Kalz 24). He makes the skin of the women to appear smooth and soft, and she looks quite real, although somehow idealized.
The Contrast in Background
Apart from the figures naturalism, the painting has a background that offers a stark contrast. The artist has placed Mona Lisa against a vast background. The artistic loggia below the woman was reaped out; however, one can still view the foundation of the vertical hold up to either of the woman's side (Kalz 25). If one looks over the woman's shoulder to the left, a road leading to a distance is seen, and mountains set to appear the same as the paintings of the Chinese landscape of the previous centuries (Kalz 25). On the right is a bridge, and a path leading to a sea in the distance. In the vast landscape, a convincing combination is found. The woman appears to go on into a kind of cloudy haze. The difference between the setting and the women is thus extraordinary, but it causes the painting to have an influence.
Leonardo Da Vinci and the Mona Lisa
Leonardo Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa piece in 1503 and finished in 1506. It is believed to have been painted to mark either when Francesco del Giocondo bought his own house in 1503 or when he and his wife got their second son in 1502 (Kalz 25). The dark veil covering Mona Lisa's head was considered to be a grieving veil.
Significance of the Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa piece of art is one among the high Renaissance painting. It is considered to be the finest example of a picture art, as well as belong to the most significant Renaissance painting of the 16th century (Kalz 25). Balance and harmony characterize a high Renaissance painting. Even though movement is essential and necessary, it is always calm and dignified, and the eye of the viewer is always given appoint of focus.
Personal Opinion
I do not appreciate the Mona Lisa painting as it lacks outstanding elements of extraordinariness about it. Although it may seem beautiful, I do not see creativity in the piece. The artist has just painted a woman something that is ordinary.
Work Cited
Kalz, Jill. The Mona Lisa. North Mankato, MN: Creative Education, 2005. Print.
