Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo Da Vinci

Lady with an Ermine is a captivating portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci around 1489–1490. It depicts Cecilia Gallerani, a young woman from the Milanese court, holding a white ermine in her arms. The painting showcases Leonardo’s mastery of detail, light, and human expression. Cecilia’s calm gaze and elegant posture reflect both grace and intelligence. The ermine symbolizes purity and may also reference the Duke of Milan, her patron and lover, who was associated with the animal. Leonardo’s use of chiaroscuro gives the portrait a lifelike, three-dimensional quality. The background is dark, drawing attention to the subject’s delicate features and the texture of the ermine’s fur. The interaction between the woman and the animal adds a sense of movement and intimacy. Today, the painting is housed in the Czartoryski Museum in Kraków, Poland, admired as one of Leonardo’s finest works.