Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” is one of the most famous and recognizable pieces of art in human history. But what makes that Mona Lisa smile so special?

One of the most mysterious things about Mona Lisa’s curious smile is the way it is interpreted differently by so many different people. Her “flickering smile,” as it has become to be known, has been the source of much frustration because of its varying appearance to whomever gazes upon it. To some, the smile looks innocent and shy. To others, the smile looks inviting and almost seductive.

Many people have found that this “flickering smile” changes depending on where you focus your vision. Some people claim that if you look directly at her mouth, the subject of the painting appears to not be smiling at all. When focusing on the subject’s eyes, it appears to have a full, beaming smile.

So why is the emotion of the subject in this painting so difficult to understand? One theory claims that Leonardo da Vinci uses a technique called “sfumato” which blends pigments together to “create smooth transitions between tones to avoid the use of harsh outlines,” according to CuriositySeeds. This can be seen more clearly around the eyes and mouth of the painting.

Whether or not you see a smile in the painting or not, we want to make sure your smile can be seen by everyone!

Call our Goodyear Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.