Kling brought up Leonardo, so I did some reading, mostly wiki and some other. Here is where Mona's expression came from.
The king of France conscripted Leo to make some large horse display of some military guard, in Paris. Leo was none too happy, preferred his workshop and friends in sunny Italy. Leo took Mona with him to Paris. There while working for the king, the king took a liking to the unfinished Mona, and Leo never took a liking to the king. Knowing where Mona was going (in the kings bedroom) Leo gave her the half sneering, haunting look, resentment of the king.
In Leo's business, portraits were the hot seller. He would have designed his portraits according to who would be gazing in the family home. The whole game to selling portraits is to make the subject look happy to be around, or stern as the case may be. Leo is selling longevity on the wall of the patron's home. To make a sneering face at the king, and get away? He would not have passed that one.
Her half smile draws us close and we then see she is a bit angry. It i addicting, but it was aimed at some French king. It causes us to review our sins.
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