Lady With An Ermine. Lady with an Ermine. It is well documented that Leonardo did paint a portrait of Ludovico Maria Sforzas mistress Cecelia Gallerani now famously known as The Lady with an Ermine.
The Lady With An Ermine came into Polish hands in 1800 after it was bought by the young Prince Adam Czartoryski later a hero in the fight for Polish independence during his tour of Italy. The famous white ermine is actually a reference to Ludovico who was decorated with the Neapolitan Order of the Ermine in 1488 by Ferdinand I King of Naples hence he was also referred to as the White Ermine Ermellino Bianco. Intricate brushwork and detail.
Gallerani is widely recognised as the mistress of the Duke of Milan or Ludovico Sforza.
It was painted at a time when she was the mistress of Ludovico Sforza Duke of Milan and Leonardo was in the Dukes service. B Image obtained by moving three details. Lady with an Ermine Italian. Lady with an Ermine is one of the most amazing paintings from the Renaissance era.