Miami is now home to one of the largest outdoor murals of the Mona Lisa in the world

Downtown Miami has never been shy about spectacle, but a newly unveiled mural in the Flagler District may be its most unexpected yet. Towering across the east-facing wall of Mana Common HQ at 21 SE 1st Ave., a monumental street-art interpretation of the Mona Lisa now gazes out over the city, turning one of history’s most recognizable paintings into what is being called the largest outdoor mural of the masterpiece in the world.

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Commissioned by developer Moishe Mana and painted by Spanish street artist René Mäkelä, the mural reimagines the enigmatic portrait first created by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century. Working under the moniker Makelismos, Mäkelä spent roughly six weeks bringing the piece to life, using about 120 gallons of paint and nearly 1,200 spray cans to scale the Renaissance icon up to building size. Even from blocks away, her famous smile is unmistakable.

The project continues Mana’s effort to turn the historic Flagler District into an open-air gallery. In 2024, the same building debuted a massive interpretation of Girl with a Pearl Earring, with more murals planned for the coming weeks. For Mana, the idea is simple: bring museum-level art directly to the street. 

"Our intention in bringing Renaissance art reflects the Renaissance of the Flagler District," said Mana in a statement. "We need to bring classical, traditional art out into the streets—to make the streets themselves feel like a museum. If people don’t go to the museum, then we should bring the museum to them."

Mana says more classical works are already planned for the neighborhood, suggesting that the enigmatic woman may soon have company. If the plan unfolds as envisioned, the streets of the Flagler District could gradually become a kind of Renaissance corridor, where centuries-old masterpieces appear not in quiet museums but across sunlit building facades. 

And for anyone wandering downtown today, that famous half-smile now feels less like a distant museum relic and more like a neighbor watching over the block. Snap a photo while you’re there. She’s hard to miss.