When we compare the landscape of the Mona Lisa with studies by Leonardo, we can see his fascination with the formation of the Earth and the battle of the Elements, and understand why the background of his masterpiece represents the culmination of a lifetime’s scientific and artistic research.

1. Mona Lisa (c. 1503–1519) – top left
2. Study of rock formations (c. 1508–1511) – top right
3. Study of rocks (c. 1500–1510) – bottom left
4. Landscape studies (c. 1508–1511) – bottom right