Mona Lisa
The artist
Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian Renaissance genius who was also an inventor and scientist.
What you see
A calm woman sitting with her hands folded, wearing a soft smile, with a dreamy landscape behind her.
The story
Painted around 1503, it became the most famous painting in the world, especially after it was stolen from the Louvre in 1911 and later found.
The style
Leonardo used soft, smoky shading called sfumato so the edges melt gently, giving her a lifelike, mysterious look.
Look closer
Look at her smile: from some angles she seems to be smiling, from others not. Her eyes also seem to follow you.
Where to see it
You can see her behind glass at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where huge crowds visit her every day.
Fun fact
The painting is quite small, about the size of a large poster, which surprises many first-time visitors.