Monalisa - an Absolute Beauty

In 1503, Leonarda Da Vinci leaves Venice, returns to Florence and the art of painting, perhaps to explore the gentle side of nature. There he begins the one work for which he will always be remembered. It's called "Monalisa". No one knows precisely, who she is or even if she existed at all. As he paints, Da Vinci keeps himself amused with light music.

If one looks at this picture from bottom to top, he can feel a very elegant transition from light to shade. It is so enigmatic, so captivating, that anybody who could paint it like that, exhibited a great display of virtuousity and an incredible talent.

This painting is the costliest painting ever. People often describe it as "the mysterious smile of Monalisa". It is mysterious because Vinci has shaded the corners of her lips and her eyes with such a delicacy and precision, that is incomparable to anything else, they being the most expressive features of a human face.

Monalisa is a painting of mystery. There is something very very secret about it. There is this elaboration, this myth of secrecy about her smile. Who is Monalisa? Is she Leonardo's lover? Is she the face of Leonardo da Vinci himself? History does not reveal her true identity. Da Vinci's biographer identifies her as Monalisa Gioconda, the wife of a Florence merchant. But neither did the biographer saw her painting ever, nor Vinci left any clue about who she was.

The Monalisa remains forever a work in progress. A physical manifestation of his code, of his commitment to achieve the impossible - perfection in painting.