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Reimagining Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa's smile has been the subject of much speculation. Students will explore Leonardo da Vinci's beloved work and put their own spin on the painting.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" (painted between 1503 and 1519) is one of the best known paintings in the world. Have students look at an image of the work and explore its history. Who was Mona Lisa? In what museum is the painting hanging? On what is the work painted? How many people visit the painting each year? How has her smile been interpreted over the years? What is the "sfumato" technique favored by da Vinci?

  • Step 2

    Ask students to speculate about Mona Lisa's smile and facial expression. Have them ponder what she may have been thinking about as she posed for the painting. Then have them create their own masterpiece inspired by this classic. They can be original in how they illustrate her frame of mind, setting, clothing, companion, and so on. For example, they could paint her holding a puppy or an ice cream cone, which might be a reason for her smile. 

  • Step 3

    Have students present their art and the explanation for what is shown in the image and how they imagine she feels. 

Standards

ARTS: Compare one’s own interpretation of a work of art with the interpretation of others. 

ARTS: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art. 

Adaptations

Have students explore some of the other works at the Louvre, such as "The Lacemaker" by Johannes Vermeer or the Louvre Pyramid designed by I. M. Pei that stands in the main courtyard of the museum.

Ask students to write a journal entry from the point of view of Mona Lisa. What might life have been like for a woman in the 16th century? What might have been on her mind as she sat for the portrait?