Shop art print and framed art The Lady with the Hermine by Leonardo da Vinci

Milan, late 15th century: the birth of a masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci

The Lady in an Ermine was born in Milan between 1488 and 1490, when Léonard de Vinci was in the service of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. This was a prosperous period for the Lombard city, marked by intense artistic and intellectual ferment. The model for the painting has been identified as Cecilia Gallerani, the Duke's young mistress, renowned for her beauty and intelligence. The painting, an oil on wood panel measuring 54 × 39 cm, testifies to Leonardo's talent as a portraitist, able to capture not only the physical features but also the personality of his model.

The Lady with an Ermine: a subtle interplay of looks and symbols

The portrait shows Cecilia Gallerani in a three-quarter view, facing slightly to the right. Her gaze, both lively and melancholy, captures the viewer's attention. She is holding an ermine in her arms, a symbolic animal for several reasons. Firstly, the ermine, whose immaculate white fur evokes purity, was the emblem of Ludovico Sforza. On the other hand, in ancient Greek, the word "ermine" is close to the word "galè", which means "weasel" but also refers to Cecilia's surname, Gallerani. The presence of the animal may also be linked to Ludovico Sforza's membership of the "Order of the Ermine". Leonardo thus plays with symbols, creating a subtle link between the model and her protector. The composition, of great elegance, is emphasised by the interplay of lines and colours, particularly the deep blue of Cecilia's dress and the brilliant white of the ermine.

The Lady with an Ermine: an enigmatic portrait by Leonardo da Vinci

The Lady with an Ermine marks an important stage in the evolution of the art of portraiture. Leonardo da Vinci goes beyond the simple faithful representation of the model to reach a psychological dimension. The painting reveals the complexity of Cecilia Gallerani, at once a carefree young woman and a mistress aware of her precarious position. The technique of sfumato, perfected by Leonardo, contributes to this enigmatic atmosphere. Contours blur, shadows and light merge, creating an impression of mystery and depth. This masterpiece, now housed in the Czartoryski Museum in Krakow, has inspired many artists and continues to fascinate with its timeless beauty.

The priceless artistic legacy of Leonardo da Vinci's The Lady with an Ermine

The Lady with an Ermine bears witness to the heyday of the Italian Renaissance, a period of unprecedented artistic and cultural renewal. The painting embodies the humanist ideals of the time, celebrating beauty, intelligence and human dignity. It also reflects the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, a universal artist whose insatiable curiosity and inventive spirit left their mark on the history of art. The Lady with an Ermine is much more than a simple portrait: it is a window onto a bygone era, a testament to the greatness of the human spirit and an inexhaustible source of inspiration for future generations.

This artwork is a painting from the renaissance period. It belongs to the italian renaissance style.

« The Lady with the Hermine » is kept at Czartoryski Museum, Cracow, Poland.

Find the full description of The Lady with the Hermine by Leonardo da Vinci on Wikipedia.