We live in an age so saturated with images, that it seems unimaginable to live in a time when only the richest people were captured in their likeness. Well, this was the situation during the Renaissance era though. Believe it or not, before fancy cameras, there was a time when the only way to make your own portrait was by hand. It was very time consuming and, well, money consuming. However, drawing and painting were no problem, as the Renaissance is said to be one of the most creative periods in history. It occurred in Europe around 1350-1550 and Italy was the powerhouse of this cultural awakening. The jewel of the age was undoubtedly Leonardo da Vinci. The life and work of Leonardo da Vinci marked an era, and one in particular became the most loved and appreciated work of all time; The Mona Lisa. The masterpiece is made with such a refined technique that involves perfect shading that is almost impossible to replicate, and is now the most recognized painting in the world. Despite the technicalities, this Mona Lisa craze has little to do with the painting itself, but rather its dubious nature. The Mona Lisa is an instantly recognizable face and has become a household name. It is the painting we are exposed to most frequently (145). The painting has become synonymous with painting in general and has become a bit of a cliché. Just as you were told to imagine a pack of cigarettes, most people would automatically imagine a pack of Marlboros. The painting is undoubtedly a superstar in its own league. That said, there are those who argue that the painting does not deserve its fame and that La Gioconda is pompous. If you don't belong to that category, then your argument is not with me, but with John... middle of paper... a Vinci is a genius and whatever may be hidden in the Mona Lisa could be life changing. But it's been a long time since the research began, and it's time to draw the line. A very wise man once said that the key to a successful and meaningful life is to accept uncertainties. The Mona Lisa may just be another secret that must remain a secret because sometimes not knowing the whole truth is better. So, instead of wasting any more time trying to figure out the secret of the Mona Lisa, move on to other works of art that might be as interesting or even more so than the ones we have all considered passé due to our isolation with The Mona Lisa. But before it's too late, I think I'd like to add another theory to this mona mania: Mona Lisa smiles mockingly at us viewers - her viewers, because she knows we are all desperately searching for the secret that may not even exist. at all.