Analysis of "Mona Lisa": Elements and Principles of Art Used
Leonardo da Vinci's “Mona Lisa' was a painting that was made during the years 1503-1505, taking this whole time to perfect the piece of work. This portrait spread many rumors around the time this was being made and shown in the world. For one example, it was shown that it was one of Leonardo’s relatives dressed up. Though, for the real woman in the painting, it was Lisa del Giocondo. She was known as being the wife of a silk merchant. The painting was originally the woman’s name. For the name now being “Mona Lisa,” it is theorized that the Giocondo family did commission to him. Though, he never gave up the painting. Another theory resolved that the painting was made for the celebration for the birth of the families' new child. Regardless, this was an attempt from him to push his limits on making things “Perfect.” The painting 'Mona Lisa' shows different elements and principles of art that the autor used for crating such a masterpiece.
Exploring Elements, Texture and Principles of the Artwork
The Mona Lisa is such an interesting painting to stare at. From the looks of it, he made it well, showing the realism, revealing a life-like picture into reality. The Value of the photos is something I do enjoy. From how the front view of the piece is showing her facial features, to the back view, seeing the edges of the river and mountains. It gives out a dark, gloomy afternoon. Not only that, but the way she smiles is such a mystery to see. I like the way she sits there and smiles. It makes many wonder on why she is smiling, from being told to or she was someone who smiles a lot, or possibly some other reason.
Not only that, but the proportion is well made. It does show off the body positioning and how it is facing, nothing is done to out there that can be easily seen. From the hands positioning has shown a little weird to me, if I am being honest. The hand that is resting on top seems to be pudgier than the other one. Then again, I don’t know the woman that is in the mural and her hands could be naturally like that. But from the looks of it, the colors do give off the detail of her skin and the shading from her hand, neck area, and even into the clothing.
The texture shows off the usage of layers and mixtures of the paint. Seeing the cracks involved within it shows that it is an antique, showing the form of wear and tear. The little river and mountains that are placed on the bottom left of the painting shows off a red coloring. From a closer looks, it is connected to a river into a wilderness of some sort. I go back to the woman and The patterns that are shown in her clothes is a nice touch. From the wrinkles in her sleeves to the overlapping waves in her shirt. You can see the space around her was used by the background, giving that outdoors feel.
I can recognize the shapes that are shown on her. The round circle that is placed on her head, with the nose being the pointed triangle and many different rectangles formed to make out the body, coloring, and detail. It does have that contrast as well. From having her in the middle, she is the center of attention, while other things are being filled around the center, being a darker shade while she is on the opposite side of the scale, being a brighter, and more eye-catching, part. One thing I don’t usually like is that there is a lack of variety around the colors in the background. It is well made and it is wonderful to see, but more colors and things could of been placed to describe it being more of a forest or what direction it was originally going.
Leonardo astutely utilized light to characterize frames, show them and make a sentiment of profundity. Leonardo is used Sfumato technique which is in the portray or drawing, the nice shading that produces gentle, gradual move between colors and tones. it's miles used most customarily in reference to the work of Leonardo da Vinci and his fans, who made diffused gradations, without traces or borders, from light to dark regions; the technique become used for a notably illusionistic rendering of facial capabilities and for atmospheric effects. Lines disappear into the shadows and into the light and he offers no differences or limits by faintly mixing light and shade in a characteristic way. The Mona Lisa is secured with a progression of translucent coatings that add to the feeling of profundity and make a cleaned surface.
Final Thoughts
Last but nit the least, in this work Leonardo utilizes a new way to painting where the paint are sharp edges are obscured by mixed colors which leaves the edges of mouth in shadow and the eyes. This procedure adds ambiguity to Mona Lisa's appearance. Another strategy uses it by the painter is that of ethereal point of view which similar to that the foundation of the picture has been made to look foggy with less clear layouts than the closer view. Leonardo was one of the first painters to use this strategy to add more noteworthy depth to his fine arts.
