The Lady with an Ermine - Leonardo da Vinci
- Oil painting on canvas
- 100% Hand-painted
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| Author: | Da Vinci |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Lady with an Ermine |
| Original location: | The National Museum in Krakow, Krakow, Poland |
| Year: | 1489 |
"Lady with an Ermine" is a work by Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci, created around 1489–1490. This portrait is famous for its artistic execution and the mystery surrounding the subject's identity, although it is generally believed to depict Cecilia Gallerani, mistress of the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza.
The work measures approximately 54 cm x 39 cm and is painted in oil on panel. It shows a young woman turning her body to the right while turning her head to look at the viewer. She sits in an indeterminate space, her figure occupying much of the painting's foreground.
The dress she wears is dark and modest, without the luxurious adornments normally associated with ladies of the court. Around her neck is a delicate choker. Her hair, dark and curly, is styled simply, with a few locks falling around her face.
The lady gently holds a white ermine in her arms, an animal known for its soft and pure fur. The ermine's expression, alert and slightly frightened, contrasts with the lady's calm and serene demeanor.
The lady's face is one of the most notable aspects of the painting. Leonardo captures a soft, thoughtful expression, enhanced by her slightly smiling lips and clear eyes that look directly at the viewer. This feature became a distinctive hallmark of Leonardo's style, as seen in his other famous work, the Mona Lisa.
The soft, diffused light illuminates the lady and the ermine, making them stand out from the dark background. This, along with the expert depiction of volume and texture in both the human figure and the animal, demonstrates Leonardo’s mastery of the sfumato technique, which allows for very smooth tonal gradations and the recreation of light and shadow for a three-dimensional effect.
"Lady with an Ermine" is a gem in art history, widely admired for its composition, exquisite execution, and the ethereal beauty that emanates from its subject.