Lady with an Ermine

"Lady with an Ermine" is a portrait by Leonardo da Vinci, depicting Cecilia Gallerani, the mistress of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. The ermine in the painting symbolizes purity and moderation, and it also serves as a pun on Gallerani's name, as Ludovico was known as "Ludovico il Moro," which is phonetically similar to the Greek word for ermine, "galé."

"Lady with an Ermine" by Leonardo da Vinci depicts a young woman, Cecilia Gallerani, turned three-quarters to her right, holding an ermine in her arms. The painting is characterized by its use of chiaroscuro, creating a sense of depth and volume, and the delicate rendering of textures, particularly in the woman's skin, the ermine's fur, and the intricate folds of her garments.