Mastery Assignment 1_ Evaluation Essay
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Nov 24, 2024
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Surname 1
James Jones
Professor Stephanie Gregg
ENG 1403 Research and Composition
02/11/2023
Mona Lisa's Smile and What It Means
The Mona Lisa is undoubtedly one of human history's most iconic and enigmatic works
of art. Among its many significant features, the subject's enigmatic smile is one of the most
notable and contentious aspects (Blakeslee). Her smile is perceived with a sense of bafflement as
it appears momentarily and then disappears. No other artist has been able to capture the
mysterious expression achieved by the famed Leonardo da Vinci. This essay aims to evaluate the
significance of Mona Lisa's smile, exploring its cultural, political, and religious implications and
impact on the art world, ultimately arguing that its power lies in its ambiguity.
For 500 years since its completion, thousands of people have viewed the Mona Lisa and
noticed the surprising change of expression with every gaze of the painting. A Harvard
Neuroscientist. Dr. Margaret Livingstone argues that the changing facial expression on the Mona
Lisa results from the design of the human visual system rather than the mysterious nature with
which the spectacle is often perceived (Blakeslee). The scientific explanation provided by the
Harvard neuroscientist, an authority on visual processing, provides a more concrete explanation
than how the expression has been termed ambiguous over time. According to her scientific
analysis, the appearance of the smile and its disappearance resulted from where the viewer's eyes
were positioned when looking at the painting (Blakeslee). The positioning of the eyes, lighting,
and the Mona Lisa's cheekbones work together to provide different expressions when an
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individual views the painting while altering their peripheral vision and attention to detail.
However, Mona Lisa's smile has provided adequate importance in culture, politics and religion.
First and foremost, it is essential to examine the cultural context surrounding the creation
of the Mona Lisa. Painted by the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century, the
painting reflects the Renaissance principles, which strongly emphasized celebrating human
individuality and emotions (
Bohrn et al. 378). In this context, Mona Lisa's smile stands out as a
reflection of the era's values, characterized by individualism and the desire to capture human
emotions on canvas. Thus, the cultural significance of Mona Lisa's smile lies in its embodiment
of the Renaissance ideals of humanism and individualism.
Moreover, the Mona Lisa also holds political connotations, mainly through its patron,
Francesco del Giocondo. He was a wealthy Florentine merchant closely tied to the powerful
Medici family, who commissioned the painting (
Bohrn et al. 378). In this sense, the Mona Lisa
can also be seen as a political statement, symbolizing the social and political power of the Medici
family and their patronage of the arts. Therefore, Mona Lisa's smile also represents wealth and
power and reflects the political climate of the Renaissance period.
Another significant aspect is the religious implications of Mona Lisa's smile. His
knowledge and interest heavily influenced Leonardo da Vinci's work in science and philosophy,
particularly optics and mathematics. Some scholars argue that the Mona Lisa's smile results from
da Vinci's mastery of the "golden ratio," a mathematical concept believed to represent perfection
and beauty (
Bohrn et al. 379). This theory suggests that Mona Lisa's smile is not accidental but a
precisely calculated expression meant to convey perfection and divinity. In this perspective,
Mona Lisa's smile takes on a deeply religious meaning, as it represents the ultimate expression of
human perfection, closely tied to the religious beliefs of the Renaissance period.
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However, regardless of the cultural, political, and religious significance of Mona Lisa's
smile, the true power and mystery of the painting lies in its ambiguity. Despite numerous
attempts to analyze and decipher the smile's meaning, it continues to elude definitive
interpretation. This has only added to the painting's allure and made it a fascinating subject for
centuries. The French writer and art critic Théophile Gautier famously described the Mona Lisa's
smile as "a delicious enigma," highlighting its beauty and elusive nature.
Furthermore, the ambiguity of the smile allows for a personal and emotional connection
with the viewers. Humans are drawn to mystery and intrigue, and the Mona Lisa's smile intrigues
us, inviting us to contemplate its meaning and form our interpretations. Some see it as a
seductive smile, while others view it as melancholic or mysterious. The beauty of this ambiguity
is that it allows the viewer to project their emotions and experiences onto the painting, creating a
unique and personal connection.
Overall, the significance of Mona Lisa's smile lies in its representation of the
Renaissance's cultural, political, and religious values and its enduring mystery and ambiguity. Its
enigmatic nature has made it one of the most studied and debated works of art, captivating
viewers for centuries. Its impact on art is evident through popular culture's numerous parodies,
imitations, and references. Ultimately, Mona Lisa's smile transcends time and place, continuing
to fascinate and inspire people, making it a true masterpiece.
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Works Cited
Blakeslee, Sandra. What Is It with Mona Lisa's Smile? It's You!
The New York Times
, 2000.
Bohrn, Isabel, Claus-Christian Carbon, and Florian Hutzler. "Mona Lisa's smile - perception or
deception?"
Psychological Science
, vol. 21, no. 3, 2010, 378-380. http://experimental-
psychology.org/ccc/docs/pubs/BohrnCarbonHutzler2010.pdf