High-resolution scans in 2007 revealed that da Vinci originally painted eyebrows, but they faded over time or were accidentally removed during early restorations.

Before Vincenzo Peruggia stole the masterpiece, it was respected by art experts but largely unknown to the public until the massive media frenzy made it iconic.

The subject is widely believed to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy Florentine silk merchant named Francesco del Giocondo who commissioned the piece.

Derived from the Italian word for smoke, sfumato allowed da Vinci to create seamless transitions between colors without harsh outlines, giving the face a realistic glow.