The famous face of Mona Lisa changed significantly over the three months that she sat for Leonardo. In July, when artist and sitter first met, her hairline started just two inches above her eyebrows. She had, you see, a nervous tick - a neurotic itch. Each day, around noon, Mona would pick out a single hair from her forehead, simultaneously making a little "titch" sound. Over time, as her portrait neared completion, her hairline accordingly receded. On the fourth day of October, when she was allowed to view the finished portrait, Miss Mona's face took on a mysterious bewildered look. Da Vinci noticed it right away - and later that evening went to work, smudging the oil paint to create the iconic expression we know today.
© BILL BLAIR 2010
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