The Lady with an Ermine - Leonardo da Vinci

"The Lady with an Ermine" is a work by the Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci, created around 1489-1490. This portrait is famous for its artistic execution and the mystery surrounding the identity of its subject, although it is generally believed to represent Cecilia Gallerani, the 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 a large part of the plane of the painting.

The dress she wears is dark and modest, without the luxurious adornments typically associated with court ladies. A fine choker is seen around her neck. Her dark, curly hair is simply gathered, with a few strands falling around her face.

The lady delicately 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 gentle and thoughtful expression, enhanced by her slightly smiling lips and clear eyes that look directly at the viewer. This feature became a distinctive signature of Leonardo's style, as seen in his other famous work, The Mona Lisa .

The soft, diffuse light illuminates the lady and the ermine, highlighting them against the dark background. This, along with the expert representation of volume and texture in both the human figure and the animal, demonstrates Leonardo's mastery in the use of the sfumato technique, which allows for very smooth tonal gradations and the recreation of light and shadow for a three-dimensional effect.

"The Lady with an Ermine" is a gem in the history of art, widely admired for its composition, exquisite execution, and the ethereal beauty emanating from its subject.