Without a doubt, the work in question is one of the most beautiful and enigmatic paintings ever created by Leonardo Da Vinci, a symbol of the extraordinary artistic level achieved by the master during his first stay in Milan. The Lady with an Ermine is a fairly small oil painting on panel (54.8x40.3cm), most likely datable to 1488-1490. The woman portrayed is almost certainly identified with Cecilia Gallerani, famous from a historical point of view for having been the lover, as well as the favorite, of Ludovico Maria Sforza known as il Moro, regent of the Duchy of Milan from 1480, finally duke himself from 1494 to 1499.

To fully understand the importance of this portrait, we must immerse ourselves in the historical context of the period in which it was made. We are in the period of the Italian Renaissance, when art, science and culture experienced an incredible fervour. Leonardo, a multifaceted genius, was one of the main protagonists of this extraordinary era of transformation and innovation. As anticipated, the protagonist of the painting is Cecilia Gallerani, a young lady of the Milanese nobility, known for her beauty and her eclectic spirit. She was one of Ludovico Sforza's main lovers, and it is important to specify that the relationship between the two aroused great curiosity and gossip within the aristocratic circles of the time.

Now let's move on to the artistic aspects of the canvas. The ermine that delicately rests on Cecilia's arm is a symbol of great refinement and prestige. This animal, belonging to the weasel family, was considered at the time an embodiment of purity and elegance. The fact that Leonardo chose to include this detail in the composition of the painting testifies to the master's skill and attention to detail, as well as the profound esteem, affection and admiration Ludovico felt towards his court lady.

But the real secret hidden in the portrait of the Lady with an Ermine lies in its deepest meaning. Looking closely at Cecilia's face, we can see a blend of sweetness and mystery. The light falling gently on her face illuminates her piercing eyes and slightly dreamy expression. It is as if Leonardo had managed to capture Cecilia's soul, making it eternal through her brushes. What makes this portrait even more fascinating is the possible artistic representation of the relationship between Cecilia and Ludovico Sforza.

According to some theories, the ermine she holds is an allusion to Cecilia's lover, Ludovico himself. In fact, in 1488 Ludovico il Moro received the honorary title of knight of the Order of the Ermine from the king of Naples Ferdinand I of Aragon. The ermine is also a symbol of purity, but above all his name in Greek is "galḗ", a possible reference to the first two syllables of Cecilia Gallerani's surname. This expedient was also used by Leonardo in another painting, the Portrait of Ginevra de' Benci, where there is a juniper that refers to the name of the girl.

One of the most frequently asked questions about the painting is how Leonardo made Cecilia Gallerani pose with an ermine, a wild and often aggressive animal. The researchers hypothesized that instead of an ermine Leonardo used a ferret for the portrait, an animal that is easy to tame, more docile and also much smaller than an ermine. The ermine is in fact painted in a very realistic way, but by observing its morphology better it resembles a ferret. It is therefore thought that Leonardo captured a wild ermine to portray its main details and then used a ferret for the portrait with the lady.

Today the painting is in the Czartoryski Museum in Krakow, Poland.