Leonardo da Vinci's Masterpiece Krakow is one of just six places in the world that can boast a painting by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), the old masters old master. And there are known only three his female portraits of which Krakows Lady with an Ermine is arguably the most beautiful. Its also in the best shape after the 500-plus years that elapsed. Leonardos masterpiece in The Czartoryskich Museum at 19 Sw. Jana street depicts a delightful teenage beauty, most probably Cecilia Gallerani who was the mistress of Milans ruler Lodovico Sforza il Moro, the artists patron. Most likely Leonardo da Vinci painted her in his early thirties, between 1482 and 1485i.e. some 20 years before the Louvres famed Mona Lisaand for the first time he showed the sitter in the way that would soon become the standard. Art historians maintain its the worlds first modern-age portrait ever painted. That stunning picture is 40.3 cm wide and 54.8 cm high, oil on walnut board. Unfortunately, the original background has been overlaid probably in the 17th c. The portrait of the Lady with an Ermine was bought by Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski in Italy and incorporated into The Czartoryskis family collections in 1800.
10 Comments
Anonymous Guest 15 Feb 2006
Your use of the pencil to acheive depth and shadowing is something that I, also, use exclusively in my art. It is time consuming, and intricate, but well worth the effort. Wonderful work, Linda MasonSherrie Kostura 10 Oct 2004
Very nice work!Daniel klinke 05 Oct 2004
different I like itNancy Woolweber 26 Sep 2004
Nicely done.teresa greene 26 Sep 2004
Excellent pencil work and great story thank you!Hilton Harris 26 Sep 2004
Excellent piece. Beautiful pencil work.sher richardson 26 Sep 2004
lovely rendition Paul... MrDaVinci has always been an inspiration to me for his inventive ways and studies of everything that pertained to the creative mind... thankyou for the accompanying story.. : )Amanda Hone 26 Sep 2004
Impressive work.Laura Landrum 26 Sep 2004
So beautiful!!!thea walstra 26 Sep 2004
very good work Paul.