The Mona Lisa Has No Eyebrows Because of a Cleaning Accident
Early 16th-century restorers removed a thin layer of varnish that had protected the brows and lashes, leaving the famous portrait bare-faced. High-resolution scans confirm microscopic remnants of the original strokes. Leonardo likely painted delicate eyebrows that later vanished.
💡 Fun detail:
Modern imaging reveals that the painting once showed a far more expressive, lively face than today’s subdued version.
Source: Louvre Museum