The artist known for the "Mona Lisa" is Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian painter, sculptor, and polymath of the Renaissance period. The painting, which features a woman with an enigmatic smile, is celebrated for its exquisite detail, composition, and use of sfumato, a technique that creates a soft transition between colors. Created between 1503 and 1506, it is now housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris and is considered one of the most famous and influential artworks in history. The "Mona Lisa" continues to captivate audiences and is often referenced in discussions of art and creativity.