MONA LISA AVERTS HER EYES
Understanding the ‘Mona Lisa Effect’
Most anyone who has visited the Louvre in Paris says the same thing when they view Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting the “Mona Lisa:” “I think she’s looking at me,” they say as they walk through the crowds gathered in front of the painting, trying to elude the woman’s enigmatic gaze.
published findings suggesting that the “Mona Lisa” itself, ironically, does not actually meet requirements to instill this effect. For viewers to actually experience characters looking at them, a character’s eyes need to face straight forward, varying by only 5 degrees or so from dead center. This effect has been applied to the creation of artificial-intelligence avatars as well as in pictures and film.
Admirers of the painting have noted this effect for decades, even centuries. Wherever they move, the Mona Lisa’s eyes seem to follow. Now, when this same effect happens with characters in other paintings, in photos, or on- screen, it’s described as “the Mona Lisa effect.” The irony of this moniker, however, is that the Mona Lisa’s eyes don’t actually follow onlookers.
However, researchers found that the Mona Lisa’s gaze falls slightly to the right by around 15 to 16 degrees — way out of the range of the Mona Lisa effect. With this revelation, the question is why do so many people insist the Mona Lisa is looking at them. One of the researchers, Gernot Horstmann, speculated that perhaps people have a desire to be looked at, and their brains make up the rest. He also said perhaps whoever came up with the term “Mona Lisa effect” might have done so just because it sounded cool. Whatever the reason, the Mona Lisa’s ubiquity in modern culture could ensure the effect keeps its name — even if its namesake doesn’t actually abide by it.
Earlier this year, a team of researchers at Bielefeld University in Germany
HAVE A LAUGH
The Best Leftover TURKEY SANDWICH
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
INGREDIENTS
• 2 slices sourdough bread • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 slices Swiss cheese
• 1/3 cup shredded leftover turkey • 3 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce • 1/3 cup leftover dressing or stuffing • 2 tbsp leftover gravy • 1 tbsp butter, room temperature
Note: Don’t worry if you don’t have all the leftovers required.
DIRECTIONS
1. Coat inside of each bread slice with mustard and a slice of cheese. Place turkey and cranberry sauce on one slice and dressing and gravy on the other. 2. Combine sandwich and spread butter on both sides. 3. In a panini maker or large skillet, grill until crispy and golden brown. 4. Slice and serve.
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