Woman with an Ermine Leonardo da Vinci 1483-90 oil on wood 54x39cm Czartorski Museum, Krakow
This is probably the best painting Leonardo ever made. This is the most compelling and seems the embodiment of artistic perfection, partly because the painting is in better condition than many of his other works. The woman is painted on a jet black background that is unique in Leonardo's oeuvre. At first glance the woman seems the epitome of beauty, chastity, and modesty. But the more one looks, the woman nor the ermine is a sweet, cuddly creature. They both give the impression that they have turned to look for some object of prey.
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This is probably the best painting Leonardo ever made. This is the most compelling and seems the embodiment of artistic perfection, partly because the painting is in better condition than many of his other works. The woman is painted on a jet black background that is unique in Leonardo's oeuvre. At first glance the woman seems the epitome of beauty, chastity, and modesty. But the more one looks, the woman nor the ermine is a sweet, cuddly creature. They both give the impression that they have turned to look for some object of prey.
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