Some Poles already forgot that famous Leonardo Da Vinci’ painting “Lady with an Ermine” is displayed by the Czartoryski Museum in Krakow. How come? Because our Lady is having International Tournee in Europe and – according to decisions made by XX CZartoryski Foundation will be still travelling in 2011. As you can imagine, this statement caused many complaints: first of all “Lady” is a cultural heritage of Poland and it should be displayed here, fiurthermore painting is very old and may be easily damaged during the transportation.
Nowadays, problem bacame international. You can ready about it in The Observer – to read the article please click here. The small portrait generally called The Lady with the Ermine was painted in oils on
wooden panel by Leonardo da Vinci.At the time of its painting, the medium of oil paint was relatively new to Italy, having been introduced in the 1470s. Leonardo was one of those artists who adopted the new medium and skillfully exploited its qualities. The sitter has been identified with reasonable security as Cecilia Gallerani who was the mistress of Leonardo’s employer, Lodovico Sforza, known as Lodovico il Moro.
If you are visiting Krakow in nearest future, don’t forget to ask about “Lady”- she is in Krakow right now, but not in Czartoryski Museum, only in Bishop Erasm Ciolek Palace- ask KrakowShuttle Staff for more details.