Leonardo's Lady with an Ermine: a masterpiece of grace and symbolism
Leonardo da Vinci is synonymous with refined art and timeless genius, and one of his most famous masterpieces is undoubtedly the Lady with an Ermine. This work, created between 1488 and 1490, is currently housed in the Czartoryski Museum in Cracow. In addition to its extraordinary painting technique, this painting conceals a fascinating history and rich symbolism that are worth exploring.
Subject and meaning
The identity of the woman portrayed has been identified as Cecilia Gallerani, one of the most famous figures of the Milanese court and mistress of the Duke of Milan, Ludovico il Moro. Young, beautiful and cultured, Cecilia is immortalised by Leonardo in a portrait that is not only an ode to her beauty, but also a vehicle for profound symbolic messages. The ermine she holds in her arms is not there by chance: the name of this animal, ‘galé’ in Greek, in fact refers to the young woman's surname, in a sophisticated play on words that reflects Leonardo's intellectual mastery. Moreover, the ermine was considered a symbol of purity and chastity, qualities that gave Cecilia an aura of nobility and virtue.
Technique and workmanship
The reproduction of this masterpiece by Bottega Tifernate follows the typical methods of Renaissance workshops, using pictography techniques. The attention to detail is extraordinary, with details executed with the aid of a magnifying glass to capture every nuance of the face and fabrics, as Leonardo himself did. Even the colours used are of the highest quality: Maimeri, Winsor & Newton and Schminke are the brands chosen to guarantee a result faithful to the original. Another fascinating aspect of the technique used by the Bottega is the way in which the contours are blurred with the fingers, which makes it possible to recreate the suggestive effect of a gaze that seems to follow the observer from every angle, just as Leonardo did.
The frame: an art complement
Not only the painting, but also the frame plays a fundamental role in the beauty of the work. Made of solid wood, it is prepared with red bole and covered with three layers of plaster and natural glue, after which it is gilded with gold leaf and decorated by hand. The attention to materials and workmanship ensures that the work retains its integrity for decades, making it not only an aesthetic but also a lasting investment.
With our reproduction of the Lady with an Ermine, you can have a piece of history in your home that continues to live on and enchant centuries after its creation. Made with care and passion, it is available for purchase directly from our online shop. Don't miss the chance to have an extraordinary reproduction, eternal testimony to the genius of Leonardo da Vinci.