Tom: Wow, the Mona Lisa is smaller than I expected! But so many people are looking at it.

Josephine: Yes, it’s one of the most famous paintings in the world! There are many reasons why it’s so great.

Tom: Really?

Josephine: Look at her eyes. Wherever you stand, it feels like she’s looking at you.

Tom: Oh, you’re right! That’s kind of mysterious.

Josephine: Leonardo da Vinci used a special painting technique to create that effect. It’s called sfumato.

Tom: Sfumato? What does that mean?

Josephine: It means “soft” or “smoky” in Italian. He blended the colors so smoothly that you can’t see any brushstrokes.

Tom: Wow, he must have been so skillful! I bet there are many other techniques in this painting.

Josephine: Yes! Another special feature is her smile. It looks different depending on the angle. Sometimes she looks happy, and sometimes she looks mysterious.

Tom: Yeah, it’s like her expression changes every time I look at her!

Josephine: That’s the magic of the Mona Lisa! And there’s one more thing—her background.

Tom: The landscape behind her?

Josephine: Yes! It looks real, but it’s actually imaginary. Leonardo painted a dreamlike world that doesn’t exist.

Tom: That’s so cool! No wonder this painting is so famous.

Josephine: Yes! It’s a masterpiece that has amazed people for over 500 years.

Tom: I’m really glad I got to see it in person. Thanks for the great explanation!