Decoding the portrait of the "second Mona Lisa"

The portrait of La Bella Principessa, created before Mona Lisa, was painted by Italian artist da Vinci using optical illusion techniques to give the character a "mysterious smile."

The portrait La Bella Principessa was sold for $20 million in 1998. Photo: NG

Mona Lisa’s smile has fascinated and puzzled viewers and scientists for centuries. Depending on one’s perspective, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece can appear happy or sad.

Now there is evidence that Mona Lisa was not the first da Vinci work to feature an enigmatic smile. According to researchers at Sheffield Hallam University (UK), this painting technique was first used in the painting La Bella Principessa (The Beautiful Princess).

The 2012 painting La Bella Principessa was recently confirmed to have been painted by da Vinci, predating the late 15th-century Mona Lisa. In the painting, the character has an "incomprehensible" smile, the shape of the lips changes depending on the viewing angle, similar to the Mona Lisa.

Looking directly at her mouth, Mona Lisa appears to be pursing her lips, suggesting sadness or disinterest. However, if we look at details other than her face and hair, we see that she is smiling.

"The analysis of the Mona Lisa strengthens the hypothesis that the optical illusion effect was also used in the portrait La Bella Principessa," said Soranzo, who works in the Department of Psychology.

"While it remains to be seen whether da Vinci intentionally used this technique in La Bella Principessa, it is clear that he was a master of optical illusion and deliberately used it in the Mona Lisa," Soranzo said. "This is consistent with Leonardo's maxim that portraits should reflect the 'turbulent mind' of the subject."

According to VnExpress