Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

The "Portrait of Mona Lisa del Giocondo," widely known as the "Mona Lisa," is an exquisite half-length portrait painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. The subject of the painting, Lisa Gherardini, the wife of wealthy Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo, sits serenely against a dreamy, atmospheric landscape.

Subject:
- Expression and Gaze: The woman portrayed has an enigmatic expression, highlighted by a subtle, alluring smile that seems to change when viewed from different angles. Her direct gaze follows the viewer, creating a sense of engagement.
- Clothing and Accessories: Lisa is depicted wearing a dark silk gown with delicate folds, adorned with a pleated veil, her attire suggestive of a modest but affluent woman. Her hair falls in soft waves, framed by a transparent veil that lightly covers her shoulders and chest.

Background:
- Landscape: The background is a meticulous fusion of idealized, verdant nature featuring winding paths and a seemingly endless expanse of tranquil waters and distant, ethereal mountains, which da Vinci rendered in his characteristic sfumato technique, achieving a seamless gradation between light and shadow.
- Atmosphere: The soft, hazy contours of the landscape give it an ethereal, almost surreal quality that complements the serene dignity of the subject.

Composition:
- Seated Pose: Mona Lisa is depicted in a three-quarters pose, her hands gracefully crossed in her lap. This pose offers a natural, poised composure, contributing to the overall harmony and balance of the composition.
- Lighting and Detail: The lighting in the painting is soft but directional, casting gentle highlights and enhancing fine details. Leonardo’s mastery of capturing texture is evident in the delicate rendering of her skin, the intricate folds of her dress, and the gleaming, naturalistic quality of her eyes and lips.

Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
- Period: Renowned as a quintessential "Renaissance Man," Leonardo da Vinci was active during the High Renaissance period, renowned for his diverse talents spanning art, science, engineering, anatomy, and more.
- Artistic Movements: The "Mona Lisa" epitomizes da Vinci’s contribution to the High Renaissance art movement, characterized by its balanced composition, realistic representation of human emotion, and innovative use of light and shadow.

Museum and Location:
- Current Location: The original Mona Lisa is housed in the Louvre Museum, Paris, France. It is among the most visited and recognized artworks in the world.

Noteworthy Details:
1. Sfumato Technique: Leonardo da Vinci’s pioneering use of the sfumato technique is perfectly exemplified in the Mona Lisa, allowing him to blend colors and tones seamlessly, creating a soft, lifelike representation with delicate transitions of light and shadow.
2. Enigmatic Smile: The painting is famously known for the subject’s mysterious smile, an art historical enigma that continues to captivate and intrigue viewers and scholars alike.
3. Provenance and Fame: Commissioned in 1503 and completed around 1519, the painting’s fame exponentially grew after it was stolen from the Louvre in 1911 and subsequently recovered in 1913, turning it into a cultural icon.
4. Condition and Preservation: Despite being over 500 years old, the painting remains surprisingly well-preserved, albeit with necessary conservation efforts over the centuries to maintain its integrity.

The "Portrait of Mona Lisa del Giocondo" is not only a masterfully executed portrait but also a timeless piece of art that continues to influence and inspire, emblematic of Leonardo da Vinci’s unparalleled genius.