The style of the painting has long been cited as the forerunner of numerous styles of art, one of the

true masterpieces in the history of world art. Everything surrounding her face is dark, bringing that much more focus to the light of her face and the attraction it provides. The overall effect is a kind of natural attraction to her, drawn in by her appearance, but it immediately contrasts with the distance Leonardo creates between subject and observer. Eyes-sign of innocence and calm Mona Lisa is that she is not a mortal woman, but a soul shared between a mother and her unborn child.

Formal Analysis: How is the work organized? What is the most important part of the painting? What is the focal point? Why do you think so? The woman's hands and face stand out because they are light and luminous in contrast to her dark clothing and hair. The composition is triangular. Another important aspect of the work is the use of perspective, with all lines leading to a single vanishing point behind Mona Lisa's head. The horizon line is repeated in the railing behind the figure. The repetition of light draws the viewer's eye around the painting, but always back to the face and hands. Formal Characterization: the overall impression or expressiveness (the mood of feeling) How would you describe the mood or feeling of this painting? Why do you think so? The work can be depicted as intriguing, mysterious, haunting, sad, tentative, content or a range of other descriptions. The important thing here is to state what you see that provides evidence for their opinion. For example, the subtle colors and tones may support a sad or pensive characterization. Interpretation: what is the meaning? What is the artwork about? What is the artist trying to communicate? Ask students to consider everything they have discussed from the visual clues in the work to offer an interpretation. For example, students may focus on the famous smile.

What do you see in the artwork? Describe the woman, where she is seated, how she is dressed, her body posture, her physical features and facial expression. The Mona Lisa is a portrait. The relaxed, three-quarter pose is different from the stiff, profile portraits that were the norm at this time.

What is in the background? describe the landscape and geographic characteristics - hills, mountains, water and roads. Speculate on where the setting might be located. Do you have an idea about the time of this artwork? Is anything happening in the painting? Although there is no overt action, that Mona's eyes and her mysterious smile indicate internal or psychological action. What colors, lines, shapes, textures do you see? Do they relate to your first impression? The muted colors, the dark colors of Mona's dress and hair contrasted with the lighter background landscape. Notice the luminous quality of Mona's face and hands. Focus on details, such as the repeated lines on the sleeves of her garment, the curving lines of the roads, the oval shape of her face, the circular lines of trees and the jagged triangles of the mountains. Perhaps the most important line in the image is the subtle curve of her mouth. How do you think this artwork was made? You may consider the particular type of paint used - in this case the new oil medium. There are no sharp outlines in this work. Leonardo pioneered sfumato or the layering of thin, translucent glazes. He compared this to "smoke" - suggesting that the forms seems to melt and blend together without definite edges.

Why is she smiling? Possible responses: I think she's smiling because she has a secret; I think she's smiling because she's happy; I think she's smiling because she thinks she's better than everyone. These are all projections of meaning based on visual qualities. Expand these assumptions by referring to other qualities in the artwork - her placement and posture, the background, her clothing. For example, if you think Mona Lisa is arrogant you can point to the fact that she sits proudly, clothed in a luxurious fabric and is sitting in front of a beautiful landscape that she could own. Others may think that her facial expression- the direction of her eyes and the smile, are what creates the effect of intrigue and mystery.