Bobby Mackey's / Thomas House Weekend

Recently I wanted to know why the Mona Lisa is considered a masterpiece. It would seem like an ordinary portrait, but there was so much noise around it! I started looking for information and accidentally came across an article on the Nerdish website — What is so Special About Mona Lisa? I read it and, frankly, a lot fell into place. It turned out that it’s not just about the mysterious smile. Leonardo da Vinci used innovative techniques in the painting — sfumato and aerial perspective, thanks to which the face of the Mona Lisa looks alive, as if she’s about to speak. The article also explained how important the composition is: soft transitions of light, the pose of the model, and even the background — everything is done with exceptional skill. I was especially surprised by the thought that Leonardo put anatomical and psychological knowledge into the work. Now I understand that this painting is not just a portrait, but a real revolution in art.