Lady with an Ermine

The Lady with an Ermine is a portrait painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. It was painted around 1489–1491 using oil paints on a piece of walnut wood. The painting shows a young woman named Cecilia Gallerani, who was close to Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan. At that time, Leonardo worked as an artist for the Sforza court in Milan.

Today, the painting is kept in the Czartoryski Museum in Kraków. People consider it one of Poland’s most important treasures. It is one of only four known portraits of women painted by Leonardo, along with Ginevra de' Benci, La Belle Ferronnière, and the famous Mona Lisa.

Description

Composition

The painting was made using oil paints on a small wooden panel. It shows a woman turning to her left, holding a small animal in her arms. The painting has a smooth, even layer of paint, similar to another famous work by the same artist. The wood used is thin and comes from the same tree as another painting by the artist.

The Lady

The woman in the painting is Cecilia Gallerani, who worked closely with the ruler of the time. She is dressed in fancy clothes, showing the fashion of the period. The artist paid close attention to details, like the shape of her fingernails and the way her hand was moving.

The ermine

The small animal in Cecilia’s arms looks like an ermine but might actually be an albino ferret. It is larger than a real ermine, which suggests it represents an idea rather than a real animal. The ermine stands for purity and moderation, meanings that fit well with the painting’s theme. It might also relate to Cecilia’s personal life and upcoming marriage.

Attribution

It wasn’t until the 20th century that people began to widely agree that the Lady with an Ermine was painted by Leonardo da Vinci. Scholars recognized it as his work because of its style, including the way light and shadow are used, the tiny details, and a thoughtful, calm feeling — all things that are typical of Leonardo’s art.

Dating

The Lady with an Ermine was painted during Leonardo's time in Milan, between the years 1489 and 1491. This was a period when Leonardo worked for the rulers of Milan.

Background

The painting Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci shows Cecilia Gallerani, who was about sixteen years old when it was made. She was known for her beauty and was a special friend of Leonardo's employer, the Duke of Milan.

The painting was not well-known for many years. It was bought by a Polish prince in 1798 and became part of a famous art collection. Over time, it traveled to many places around the world. After World War II, it was returned to Poland and displayed in museums. In 2016, the Polish government bought the painting for a large amount of money, and it continues to be shown in Kraków today.