Isn't it delicious when a plan comes to fruition? Almost four years ago to the day, I blogged something vague to the effect that, eventually, somebody (OK, me) would get around to making art history coloring pages for you sometime before our Sun hits red giant stage. Hey, some of us need 4.57 billion years' leeway.

Are you wondering why I ever said anything at all? Well, roughly one billion years ago in Internet time, pre-me attempting to run the show, there *used to be* coloring pages on this here art history website. And please believe me when I say that it was hellzapoppin' fun answering dozens of angry emails asking where the ____ the printable Starry Night page had gone for four or five months. Desperate times called for a desperate post, dear Friends.

In the interim, I've created thousands of pages worth of material, but coloring pages? Nope. However, I now have proof that all good things, truly, come to those who wait--you and me. In this same interim, a very talented young artist has emerged to take up the coloring page gauntlet. As her first offering, she has drawn (freehand, no less, with a digital tablet) coloring outlines of the most famous painting on Planet Earth: Leonardo's Mona Lisa. Heap praise upon her because (1) it's great work, (2) she's doing more--maybe even Starry Night, if we're all nice enough-- and (3) I am very, very proud of this artistic Wunderkind. Not only is she talented, she's a good human being. But, enough of my parental gushing.

You are free to save and print this image for educational use. While I have extremely mixed feelings about coloring books/pages in general, sometimes you just can't beat a little "hands on" in the mix for kinesthetic learners or younger children (who are kinesthetic around 95% of the time unless they are sleeping, in my experience). Enjoy!

Many Things Mona:

• Mona Lisa coloring page
• Leonardo da Vinci Bio
• 13 Paintings by Leonardo (image gallery)
• How 'Mona Lisa' Got Her Name