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The Science of Mona Lisa's Smile

by Peter Mychalcewycz on October 25, 2009 at 01:50 PM


The subtle complexity of Mona Lisa's sly smirk has captivated generations of casual art enthusiasts, academics, and even scientists. In reality, it is a fine sliver of paint, but in the realm of art, it acts as a monument to the indefinable. But it's time to end the infernal debate: is it a smile or not?

According to a study conducted at the Institute of Neuroscience in Alicante, Spain, the answer is both. Arggggg!

The verdict is founded not in the canvas, nor in the paint, but in our minds. Bear with us: According to New Scientist, different cells in the retina send different bits of information to the brain. These different types of information are called "channels," and each channel is responsible for a specific piece of sensory information. Therefore, one channel may determine an object's size, while another transmits brightness, and yet another transmits location. That being the case, there's no single way for even you, yourself, to see something. The process is best summed up by Luis Martinez Otero, a neuroscientist based at the Institute in Alicante. Otero explained to New Scientist, "Sometimes one channel wins over the other, and you see the smile, sometimes others take over and you don't see the smile." In other words, Luis (if we might be so bold), is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

Thank you, science. For absolutely nothing. [From: New Scientist, via BoingBoing]

Tags: art, mona lisa, MonaLisa, neuroscience, research, science, top

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