Who painted the Mona Lisa?

The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci, who is one of the most renowned artists of the Italian Renaissance. Completed in the early 16th century, the painting is celebrated for its masterful use of sfumato, a technique that creates soft transitions between colors and tones, and for the enigmatic expression of the subject. Leonardo's innovative approach to portraiture, with a focus on subtlety and depth, is largely what sets the Mona Lisa apart as a masterpiece.

While other artists like Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Michelangelo each made significant contributions to art, their styles and periods differ greatly from those of da Vinci. Picasso is known for his abstract and cubist works, van Gogh for his post-impressionist paintings with bold colors and dramatic brushstrokes, and Michelangelo for his sculptures and frescoes, particularly in the Sistine Chapel. Each of these artists has their own unique style and importance in the art world, but none created the Mona Lisa, which clearly establishes Leonardo da Vinci as the correct answer.