Lady with an Ermine – Portrait of Cecilia Gallerani

Lady with an Ermine, painted by Leonardo da Vinci around 1489-1490, portrays Cecilia Gallerani, the mistress of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. Cecilia, known for her intelligence and beauty, is depicted holding an ermine, symbolizing purity and referencing Ludovico’s association with the Order of the Ermine. The painting showcases Leonardo’s mastery of sfumato, creating a lifelike, three-dimensional effect. Initially part of the Sforza family’s collection, it later belonged to Polish aristocrats, including the Czartoryski family. Surviving the turmoil of World War II, the painting is now housed in the Czartoryski Museum in Kraków, Poland, celebrated for its technical brilliance and historical significance.