The Mona Lisa is a world-famous portrait painting by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. Created in the early 16th century, it's renowned for its exquisite detail, balanced composition, and the enigmatic expression of its subject. The painting depicts a woman with an inscrutable smile, sitting against a distant landscape. Her gaze, seemingly following the viewer from every angle, and her subtle smile have contributed to the painting's allure and sense of mystery. The Mona Lisa is celebrated for its use of sfumato, a technique that creates a soft, gradual transition between colors and tones, lending a lifelike quality to the portrait. This masterpiece is a pivotal work in the history of art and remains one of the most famous and revered paintings in the world.