Lady with an Ermine

What you see

Cecilia Gallerani’s body points one way while her head turns the other, toward the right, as if someone had called her from outside the frame. In her arms she holds a white ermine that looks in the same direction, one paw raised. Her long hand strokes its back. The dark background keeps all attention on her face, her hand and the animal.

Her pale skin glows against the black, while the blue mantle and red sleeve add color at the sides. The fingers are carefully observed, down to knuckles and nails, and so is the ermine’s fur. Look for the black bead necklace looped twice, the thin band across her forehead, and the inscription in pale letters in the upper left corner.