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How did Leonardo da Vinci Paint the "Mona Lisa"?

Learn what inspired da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa."

Aired 11/13/2019

NOVA

How did Leonardo da Vinci Paint the "Mona Lisa"?

Clip: Season 46 Episode 21 | 1m 45sVideo has Closed Captions

Learn what inspired da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa."

To master Mona Lisa's form, da Vinci carefully studied the human eye and mouth—and he dissected at least 30 human bodies.

Aired 11/13/2019

National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

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Decoding da Vinci Preview

Video has Closed Captions

Discover the science behind Leonardo da Vinci's masterpieces—and Mona Lisa's iconic smile. (28s)

Giving the "Mona Lisa" a Digital Makeover

Video has Closed Captions

See the “Mona Lisa” as da Vinci once did. (3m 10s)

How Leonardo da Vinci Used Anatomy to Inform his Paintings

Video has Closed Captions

Do the Renaissance master’s drawings stand the test of time? (4m 59s)

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National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

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