Mona Lisa effect: the confusing global economy

Mona Lisa effect: the confusing global economy
Leonardo Da Vinci achieved the Mona Lisa's ambiguous smile effect with the use of sfumato. (Image: Getty)
The Economist
What is Mona Lisa doing? At first glance, the subject of the world’s most famous painting seems to be smiling. Look again and her smile fades. When it next reappears, it is a different sort of smile. Leonardo Da Vinci achieved this ambiguous effect with the use of sfumato, where he blurred the lines around Mona Lisa’s face. No matter how many times you look, you are unsure of what is happening.The post-pandemic economy is like the Mona Lisa. Each time you look, you see something different. Following chaos in the banki...

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Denise McNabb 14 Nov 2025