The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is arguably the most famous and enigmatic artwork in the world. Its allure lies not only in its artistic mastery but also in the many mysteries surrounding the painting. Here are some of the most intriguing mysteries and lesser-known facts about the Mona Lisa.

The most enduring mystery is the identity of the woman in the painting. The traditional belief is that she is Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo, which is why the painting is also known as La Gioconda.

Another hypothesis, perhaps more likely, identifies the woman in the painting with the secret lover of Giuliano de’ Medici, Pacifica Brandani a mature woman as she appears in Leonardo’s work and not the fifteen-year-old Lisa Gherardini…

The Mona Lisa’s smile is one of the most debated aspects of the painting. It appears to change depending on the viewer’s perspective and the angle from which it is seen, a phenomenon known as the “uncatchable smile.”

Leonardo was fascinated by optics and human perception, and some believe he incorporated optical illusions into the Mona Lisa.
The smile appears to change when viewed from different angles or distances. The background landscape seems to shift and recede, creating a sense of depth and movement.