Which famous Italian artist painted the Mona Lisa?

Leonardo da Vinci is the artist who painted the Mona Lisa, a masterpiece of Renaissance art that showcases his exceptional skill in realistic portraiture, use of sfumato, and understanding of human emotion and expression. The painting, created between 1503 and 1506, features a subtly smiling woman against a distant landscape, which adds to its mysterious allure. Da Vinci's innovative techniques and attention to detail have made the Mona Lisa one of the most famous and studied artworks in the world, further solidifying his position as a central figure of the Renaissance.

The other options represent notable artists, but they were not involved with the creation of the Mona Lisa. Pablo Picasso was a leading figure of the 20th-century art movement known as Cubism, known for his abstract works that focus on deconstructing and reassembling subjects. Vincent van Gogh was a post-Impressionist painter whose works are characterized by bold colors and expressive brushwork, notably his pieces like "Starry Night." Michelangelo, renowned for his sculptures like "David" and his work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, was primarily a sculptor and architect, although he also created some paintings. Each of these artists contributed significantly to the art world, but it is Leonardo da