Leonardo Painting the Mona Lisa by Cesare Maccari

In this work, Cesare Maccari won the 1863 triennial competition. The theme reflects the spirit of romantic historicism, which aimed to reconstruct episodes from artists' lives with great attention to settings and costumes, making the narrative more realistic and engaging. The scene draws inspiration from Vasari, who, in his "Lives," recounts how Leonardo employed musicians and jesters to paint the Mona Lisa's smile. The meticulous attention to detail and the choice of color tones, resulting from thorough study, make this work a true masterpiece.