c. 1503–1506Reputable sourceWell documented
Leonardo's Mona Lisa
On the timeline · around c. 1503–1506 ·
What happened
Around 1503–1506, Leonardo da Vinci began the Mona Lisa, an oil portrait on a wood panel of an unidentified woman. He sought to capture 'the motions of the mind,' softening edges and using aerial perspective and subtle gradations of light and shade. Leonardo never parted with the painting during his lifetime.
Why it matters
Immediately influential on other artists, the Mona Lisa became the most famous portrait in the world and a byword for Leonardo's mastery of naturalism and human expression.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Leonardo da Vinci · Reputable source