the lady with an ermine is located at naples.
the lady with an ermine is located at naples.
where is the lady with an ermine located?
naples
remarkable is the portrait of cecilia gallerani (c. 1483–1490), lover of leonardo's patron ludovico sforza. interpretation of the portrait stating that it has allegorical elements has contradicted the theory that leonardo's portrait painting had only a realistic character. there is few interpretations of the portrait, one considering that the portrayed woman was actually pregnant with ludovico, and the ermine she holds is an allegorical statement of that fact. also the animal's greek name is "galé", which itself is part of the surname of the model: gallerani. the animal is also a readable symbol of ludovico sforza himself, called by the contemporary ""ermellino"", meaning ""ermine"", in reference to the prestigious order of the ermine, of which he was a beholder, and whose image he used as his emblem. the painting is in the possession of national museum in kraków, poland.
leonardo da vinci
stoat skins are prized by the fur trade, especially in winter coat, and used to trim coats and stoles. the fur from the winter coat is referred to as ermine and is the traditional ancient symbol of the duchy of brittany forming the earliest flag of that nation. there is also a design called ermine inspired by the winter coat of the stoat and painted onto other furs, such as rabbit. in europe these furs are a symbol of royalty and high status; the ceremonial robes of members of the uk house of lords and the academic hoods of the universities of oxford and cambridge are traditionally trimmed with ermine although in practice rabbit or fake fur is now often used instead due to expense or animal rights concerns. prelates of the catholic church still wear ecclesiastical garments featuring ermine (a sign of their status equal to that of the nobility). cecilia gallerani is depicted holding an ermine in her portrait, "lady with an ermine", by leonardo da vinci. henry peacham's "emblem 75", which depicts an ermine being pursued by a hunter and two hounds, is entitled "cui candor morte redemptus" ("purity bought with his own death"). peacham goes on to preach that men and women should follow the example of the ermine and keep their minds and consciences as pure as the legendary ermine keeps its fur.
stoat