Mona Lisa

This famous portrait is believed to be that of Mona Lisa, arguably the wife of a Florentine merchant. This is one of the few works that can be attributed with certainty to Leonardo da Vinci. We know in particular that he never parted with it and sold it to François 1er when he arrived in France. The woman is depicted half-length, a faint enigmatic smile on her face, dressed severely, despite her cleavage. Is this a mourning suit? The landscape in the background exhibits typical Leonardo's features, such as a small river, or a stone bridge. The artist uses the sfumato technique, which allows him to blend shadows and soften the face.