After a year of careful research and study, internationally acclaimed artist Jenness Cortez completed a remarkable painting: a visual interpretation of how Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa may have appeared when it was first finished in the early 16th century.

Commissioned by a private American collector, this work draws upon:

•  historical records
•  scientific analysis
•  the recently restored Prado Museum copy
•  Cortez’s own experience as a master painter

•  historical records
•  scientific analysis
•  the recently restored Prado Museum copy
•  Cortez’s own experience as a master painter

to shape both personal destiny and national history.

A Thoughtful Reconstruction

Reflecting on her work, Jenness explains:

“I make no claim to have equaled the great subtleties of the master’s technique. However, my best scholarship, experience, intuition, imagination, passion, and skills have gone into producing this conceptual reconstruction.

Even though I’ve embraced Leonardo’s ‘obstinate rigor’ throughout this project, I like to think there was also a little help from the same playful muse that whispered to Leonardo while he worked.

I hope this imagined Lisa will be a pleasure to all who view her.”

Time Lapse Progression
of Mona Lisa
by Jenness Cortez

Why the Mona Lisa Has Changed Over Time

Over the centuries, the appearance of the Mona Lisa has been altered by several factors, including:

•  the darkening and yellowing of varnish
•  the fading of fragile pigments
•  chemical changes in original colors
•  restoration and cleaning processes
•  natural movement in the wooden panel

•  the darkening and yellowing of varnish
•  the fading of fragile pigments
•  chemical changes in original colors
•  restoration and cleaning processes
•  natural movement in the wooden panel

To better understand these changes, Cortez relied on the scientific findings of the French Center for Museum Research and Restoration (FCMRR), along with historical documentation and comparative works.

Key Insights from the Reconstruction

Drawing on this research, Jenness Cortez made a series of careful adjustments to suggest how the painting may have originally appeared:

Color and Light

•  Brightened areas affected by centuries of varnish discoloration
•  Adjusted hues based on pigment analysis and aging patterns
•  Restored the natural warmth and vitality of skin tones

•  Brightened areas affected by centuries of varnish discoloration
•  Adjusted hues based on pigment analysis and aging patterns
•  Restored the natural warmth and vitality of skin tones

Lost Details Recovered

•  Reconstructed subtle glazes lost through time and cleaning
•  Restored delicate elements such as the bodice trim
•  Reintroduced highlights in the eyes, inspired by historical descriptions

•  Reconstructed subtle glazes lost through time and cleaning
•  Restored delicate elements such as the bodice trim
•  Reintroduced highlights in the eyes, inspired by historical descriptions

Texture and Surface

•  Removed crackle patterns caused by panel movement
•  Clarified details previously obscured by aging materials

•  Removed crackle patterns caused by panel movement
•  Clarified details previously obscured by aging materials

Expression and Features

•  Gently enhanced the eyebrows while preserving their subtlety
•  Restored the sparkle and “watery sheen” described by Vasari
•  Adjusted the hair color to a warm chestnut tone, based on scientific analysis

•  Gently enhanced the eyebrows while preserving their subtlety
•  Restored the sparkle and “watery sheen” described by Vasari
•  Adjusted the hair color to a warm chestnut tone, based on scientific analysis

Artistic Judgment

Throughout the process, Cortez balanced scientific evidence with artistic discretion—choosing not to overcorrect or speculate beyond what could be responsibly supported.

She preserved aspects of Leonardo’s chiaroscuro, recognizing its role in creating depth, drama, and mystery.

Throughout the process, Cortez balanced scientific evidence with artistic discretion—choosing not to overcorrect or speculate beyond what could be responsibly supported.

She preserved aspects of Leonardo’s chiaroscuro, recognizing its role in creating depth, drama, and mystery.

A Living Dialogue with the Past

This work is not simply a reconstruction—it is a dialogue:

between past and present
between science and intuition
between observation and imagination

It invites us to reconsider one of the most famous paintings in history—not as a fixed image, but as a living work shaped by time.

This work is not simply a reconstruction—it is a dialogue:

between past and present
between science and intuition
between observation and imagination

It invites us to reconsider one of the most famous paintings in history—not as a fixed image, but as a living work shaped by time.

An Invitation to See More Clearly

Through this project, Jenness Cortez encourages us to look more carefully—not only at great works of art, but at the process of seeing itself.

What we perceive is shaped by:

•  time
•  condition
•  attention

•  time
•  condition
•  attention

And as our understanding deepens, so too does our capacity to see.