An interesting fact of da Vinci's life and attitude towards painting is provided in a biography of the artist by Antonina Vallentin: "Leonardo himself knew that masterpieces are born of [his] fear and doubting." Apparently almost crippled with fear at the start of a new project, da Vinci worked under extreme emotional stress. This makes the calmness of the Mona Lisa all the more striking. My aesthetic response towards the painting has only been strengthened, but not altered, by the background information on its creation and the magnificent artist behind it.

References

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(2006). "Leonardo da Vinci: La Joconde." Webmuseum Paris, ibiblio.org. Accessed 26 February 2009. http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/vinci/joconde/
Vallentin, Anotnina. (1938). Leonardo Da Vinci - the Tragic Pursuit of Perfection. Toronto: Macmillan Co.