Answered on : 2024-01-24
1. **Artistic Technique**: Leonardo da Vinci created the painting "Lady with an Ermine" in 1489, undergoing two modifications during its creation, adding the silver ermine to the woman's hand in the final version [2].
2. **Symbolism**: The posture, with the woman looking left while her hand holds the ermine, has been subject to psychological analysis. The right hand appears disproportionally large, creating intrigue [3].
3. **Historical Context**: The woman depicted is Cecilia Gallerani, known for her beauty and intellect in Milan's social circles [10]. The painting is one of only four female portraits by da Vinci [8].
4. **Impact**: Da Vinci's innovative use of a side profile and the modern psychological portrayal of both the figure and the animal marked a new era in portraiture [8].
5. **Cultural Significance**: The painting is considered one of da Vinci's masterpieces, highly valued in Poland and often associated with the Czartoryski family [11].
These insights provide a glimpse into the artistic, symbolic, and historical dimensions of "Lady with an Ermine."
[1]: Merit Times
[2]: Wikipedia
[3]: Yinping77 Pixnet
[8]: Firenzecx
[10]: Ehanlin
[11]: Jendow