Milan. Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, commissioned Leonardo da Vinci, his court, and his entourage to paint a portrait of his beloved Cecilia Gallerani, whom he would marry two years later. Leonardo created a masterpiece: Lady with an Ermine. It is an innovative, emotional, powerful, and vibrant work that will forever change the art of portraiture. It is the first portrait in the modern style. Leonardo captures an event: something is happening on the scene and the lady is distracted, yet her smile is mysterious. The ermine is also depicted in an innovative way: Leonardo’s skill manages to portray even the small animal as intelligent. She caresses the ermine with erotic energy, yet her smile remains mysterious about her inner thoughts.
