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What is the story behind the Mona Lisa?
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The Mona Lisa is a painting by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci, which is possibly the most famous work of art in the world. The Mona Lisa’s subject is thought to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine merchant, Francesco del Giocondo. The painting is thought to have been completed in the early 16th century and is said to have been inspired by the Florentine landscape. The painting is characterised by its soft, mysterious smile, which has been a source of speculation among historians and art critics for many centuries. Many have attempted to assign a deeper meaning to the painting, believing it to be about female mystique, the power of subtlety, the nature of art, the sitter's position in society, or the link between painting techniques and philosophy. Whatever its true meaning, the Mona Lisa continues to captivate art lovers and remain one of the most iconic paintings of all time.