What the Ermine Saw

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In the tradition of celebrated art narratives, this remarkable story explores one of history's most enigmatic portraits. Five hundred and thirty years ago, a young woman named Cecilia Gallerani posed for the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci. As the teenage mistress of the Duke of Milan, she is depicted with shining hair and alabaster skin, holding a white ermine close to her breast—symbolizing pregnancy and childbirth. Her lover, Ludovico Sforza, was a ruthless duke who understood that da Vinci's artistry would not only immortalize Gallerani's beauty but also enhance his own political stature. This portrait revolutionized the genre, capturing not just likeness but the essence of a "soul," conveyed through brush strokes more effectively than words. Despite its significance, no records of the painting existed for 250 years following Gallerani's death. Author Eden Collinsworth traces its intriguing history over five centuries, from the cunning duke to a Polish noblewoman acquainted with Benjamin Franklin and Voltaire. The painting's journey included its designation for Hitler's private collection and its display by Nazi official Hans Frank until its post-war return to the Czartoryski Museum in Kraków. Collinsworth reveals a complex tapestry of social alliances, cultural upheavals, and the enduring interplay of genius, power, and beauty.