This Da Vinci Painting Is Weirder Than It Seems. Here's Why. 

She’s in a gallery of her own at the museum in Kraków, a dark room softly lit with a spotlight on it. I sat in front of it ogling at how tendons, veins, individual hairs, and refraction in the irises are all portrayed, she stuns FAR more than the Mona Lisa

Cecilia Gallerani, Beatrice d'Este and Isabella d'Este were such fascinating women, it surprises me that they have never gotten any biopics or shows about them.

I was excited to see this painting pop up as today’s subject. I first saw it on the wall in a restaurant. During dinner I looked at it several times, finding it amusing. It’s certainly unique. Eventually, being several years later, I decided I needed a copy. Not knowing the real name of the painting, I did my search on “The Lady and a Weasel.” I ended up with a refrigerator magnet of the painting. (That describes my credentials as an art connoisseur.) I still find it amusing. Now I know it’s history.

I saw this painting in person and it's really beautiful, more interesting than Mona Lisa in my opinion and instead of queuing for an hour to catch a glimpse from afar you can actually see it up close in a quiet room.

Just wanted to let you know, that your videos are so calming and inspiring. It's so good that I can always learn something new about art💗

I saw the original not long before covid hit. I was standing in front of it, not too far, with no people around, just astonished that I could be that close to something created by great Leonardo himself. It was definitely a magical moment.

This painting is in the magnificent Czartoryskich Museum in Krakow, I highly recommend visiting this museum, as well as Krakow itself

Your video always impressed me, it's so informative especially for someone like me who's never into art in the first place but the way you've delivered the facts and humour's just astounding which in turn make me appreciated the art and story behind it more, even learning about many pieces that I've never even heard before.

It’s always so fascinating to listen about paintings we used to know since forever, but because of this new amazing facts, perception of them is totally different ❤ Also, as a Polish I feel honoured that my country owns such important piece of art, saw it on my own in Cracow, truly hipnotizing

I actually saw this painting in Cracow in the late 1990s. I stood in a queue not knowing what was at the end. Finally I reached the entrance which was guarded by heavily armed men. Only one person was allowed in the room. And there it was!! I had only ever seen Da Vinci’s masterpiece in books. It is astonishing!

Léo got burnt out on painting once he’d mastered it, that’s why he left many a painting unfinished, including one of a wealthy patron, who offered him basically anything he wanted to complete it. She was going ‘Oh, Leo, please, I need you! I’ll give you anything 👀 you want... ‘ He was just like ´Meh... nah, maybe later...’ they theorize he had an attention disorder, but he deserved more respect than he got, and no one who’s smart, especially like polymath smart, wants to be held to doing one thing for their entire life. Especially when it’s as tedious as painting can be, if it’s not giving you gratification. Many creative people have multiple outlets and their creative inspiration and curiosity and drive to explore and master a skill are what dictates what they concentrate on at the moment. It’s not like painting is ‘fun’ for everyone who does it, (or any art, for that matter). It can be a perfectionist agony. It’s the inspiration that compels, and the drive and gratification of creation, itself that rewards you.

“sfumato” means “smoke”, referring to painting in many very thin, transparent layers of color. Leonardo championed this technique in the Mona Lisa.

That Da Vinci is just so damn talented. To think he thought of painting as an afterthought amongst his other talents.

The ermine is a stoat in its winter-white coat, and not to be confused with the smaller weasel. The weasel does not change colour and has a short tail. The stoat is not the long tailed weasel, that is an american species. The one in her hands is exceptionally large and may be an albino ferret (domesticated polecat, often selected for albinism) as stoats (& weasels) are practically untameable and would not remain at all still if she was asked to sit holding one, she would get bitten..

"If it's a dog, it's a very ugly one." Lmao, just imaging an 18th century noble women uttering those words make me laugh

Every video of yours is full of fascinating details. You have a knack for storytelling. Brilliant!

Thank you for making the video about this painting!!! I practically grew up admiring this piece in my hometown in Poland! I made so many visits to this museum, i can't even count. Very beautiful and fascinating painting. It's my favorite piece of art ever ❤️

Ummm ... I really like your videos and feel I learn a lot ... which is what I want. However, I decided to look this lady up and found out you are using word for word from Wikipedia. Be careful you don't get hit with plagiarism. I would have told you privately, except I don't know how to get a message to you.

The stories behind art are just fascinating, it's like a reality tv drama

Whoever is running this channel: I absolutely love your videos! The analysis, animation, narration, EVERYTHING. I never realized how art could be such an interesting and beautiful subject ❤ It would be cool if could do a Q&A to learn more about who is behind making these videos. But for now, thank you so much for your videos!

I have a framed copy of this painting (canvas transfer) hanging in my bedroom, as well as a copy of the Mona Lisa. It is a testament to Leonardo's versatility that he painted two extremely different women, judging by their different expressions, with such mastery. This subject appears modest, shy, mild-mannered. The Mona Lisa sits in a ladylike, outwardly demure manner--but her expression hints at a strong, bold personality, like a queen secretly snickering at her subjects. On a different note, I would like to add that, as an artist myself, an original painting executed well by a fine hand has a glow about it that even the best copies somehow fail to capture.

I love this painting. Cecilia Gallerani, looks so sharp and intelligent, a wonderful contrast to Da Vinci's portrait of Ginevra Benci (seen at 5:30 in this video), who (in this portrait at least) looks so stunningly blank and stupid. What a tragedy it is that Da Vinci did so few portraits.

My first thought was, "Who would presume to change ANYTHING on a Da Vinci painting," but I hafta say, a black background really does look better.

Ah the small detail of writing "Dawinci" on the painting as there's no v in Polish alphabet

I love your videos! I get more knowledge of art, it's painters, and history all at once. If you accept request, may I request "Miranda" by Thomas Francis Dicksee? I'm not sure if it has to have a in depth backstory with drama or politics so maybe it may not be worth a video. Maybe just a RU-vid short? You don't have to either ofc.

I recently had the pleasure to find your videos and they are *amazing* Truely amazing

Outstanding video and phenomenal narration. Your enunciation is crystal clear, your tone is engaging and inviting, your light sarcasm is hilarious and well timed. Your videos are entertaining, informative and educational.

He was 37. She was 16. He's painted as a weasel in this painting... 😐 I see nothing wrong here. 😊

You're so much better explaining about art then my own art teacher back in the 80s 🇦🇺🤩 keep bringing the amazing work 💖

I need MORE of these videos , they are absolutely amazing.

The ermine in the first portrait is odd enough looking that it's one of a handful of art works that inspired the late Mike Resnick to write a science fiction novel based this one. (Lady With An Alien). Yeah, a good writer can take inspiration from virtually anything.

he did not invent the helicopter....he had sketches of something more or less similar

Ermine is the name given to a weasel when its fur turns white during the winter. Sadly they were also highly prized for their fur which was sewn as trim into garments for the wealthy.

Why did kings have more than wife? I know it was common back then, but how can a man disrespect his wife by bringing another wife or mistress??!!

it was ground breaking because her pose is not in the contemporary profile style. also for native english speakers the animal is pronounced 'uhr-min'

I am absoloutly thrilled every time I see you have posted. Love your videos and hope you can continue making this amazing content for us

Ah... I'm going to hell. When you mentioned how the Duke died in prison I cackled 💅btw, whatever happened to his official wife?

Woooo! I'm early!

Ermine - pronounced er-min (not er-mine). Otherwise great video and I LOVE this painting!

You know the young girl commissioned Leonardo to paint the painting because it showed how she felt after she was dumped. There she was holding an irmine sure but what she saw was a weasel.

I love this painting and had it professionally framed after taking it out of an art book I had, many years ago now. It hangs in my dining room, a beautiful painting I think. Great video thanks for your work.

Hi ! Great analysis as usual :) There is one evidence that this paiting was part of collection made by Habsbourg emperor Rudolph II in 16th century. My art history teacher told us that historians found a letter in german that said: "There was one painting of a lady with a little white dog." So perhaps this work was in Prague collection during Renessaince era...

I have a 16x20 print of this. I’ve always loved it!!!❤

This is my favorite DaVinci painting. I’ve seen the original in Kraków. It’s incredible.

Davinci was such a rare talent with so many genius like abilities. Many of his paintings have deeper stories within them such as of course the Mona Lisa. Another one is the Madonna of the Rocks. That would be an interesting video too.

Thank you for making a video about this piece of art, it's the most prized possession in the art collection of all the chapters of the National Museum in Poland and an iconic painting for the Poles.

Thank you for your very interesting video on this painting and have a few comments on the “ermine” depicted. The comment about it being a “ugly dog” lead me to further closer inspection of the ‘ermine’ in the picture. Size: it appears too large to be an ermine (stoat). It appears to be the larger member of the mustelid farmily, a ferret. Ears: Weasels, ermine/stoat and ferret, have different shaped ears, being smooth rounded edge not with the slight kink. Paws: weasels have five digits and claws (ten fingers and ten toes). There appears to be only four on each of the front paws like dogs. Unusual differences for a scientifically accomplished artist to make. I have had pet ferrets, and have one now so noticed the details, when claw clipping and inspecting ears, that I have given.

Super video ! I am so interested in Renaissance, and all the dramatic impossible relationships, versus the political marriages. And about Da vinci, did you do an essay about Salvator mundi ?

If you havent already, you should do a video on Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan, because it's one of my absolute favorite pieces.

Ermine ( not weasel ) was the status quo fur for royalty,and the most sought after fur for court presentations and official portraiture.

One thing I've learned from this series is that some artists of great renown were not immune from creating "memes" of their own, in the past, I think. It actually brings the art works to life, IMO.

Leonardo did a lot of paintings better than Mona Lisa. You just know Mona Lisa because it is so heavily promoted.

I don’t buy the part about her being pregnant and the ermine hiding the baby bump. Leonardo was a good enough artist that if he wanted to hide the baby bump he just would have painted her without it. I saw the picture in Krakow and what has always struck me was that hand. It seems huge and almost misshapen. Maybe Leonardo wasn’t as good a painter as he told the Duke that he was.

Isn’t it weird that some of the greatest masters aren’t entirely only dedicated to art to begin with? Other than da Vinci another example I can think of is wlop who also isn’t an artist by profession because he studies something else ( I forgot what it was) despite arguably being one of the best .

Not only is that Ermine buff but it is HUGE! They are actually so tiny.

the painting was bought by Aleksander (Prince) CZARTORYSKI!

It always surprises me people don’t know how diverse Da Vince’s skills were. He was so curious about everything that he tried everything, the guy was a true Jack of a lot of trades, especially creatively and artistically. To the point that painting was something he did to make a living but was drawn to other things far more often (which explains why so many of his paintings were never completed.

Love the history, thank you. I would wonder who thinks of Da Vinci primarily as "a master artist" without his other skills and genius? I've always thought his engineering accomplishments , scientific interests and invention to be of greater interest (The Mona Lisa notwithstanding.)

Wow! This painting has been through a lot! Lol! It seems Leonardo had a type of woman that became his muse... sorta speak. I was thinking how much she looked like the Mona Lisa, and then you said it! Lol! Awesome video as usual 👌

Great content. DaVinci, was way ahead of his time.

This is my second favorite painting I think. My favorite is the Girl with the Pearl Earring, I really enjoy these videos

I always just thought it was a young lady and her little pet. Now I’m disturbed and this picture is ruined for me.

That's an Ermine, not a Weasle.

The thought that someone would have the audacity to change anything in such a remarkable painting by such a distinguished painter really says a lot about the attitude of those born or married into "nobility" and of course the fascist boot print speaks for itself.

She was in San Francisco in 2004 at the Palace of the Legion of Honor. Just her face was bannered throughout the city announcing her visit to the City By the Bay. Took my breath away. Seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece in person still stands out in my mind as a magical moment. Love this painting. ❤She’s had quite a journey, even being stolen during WWII.

That was an incredibly abrupt ending. lol

Most interesting but I could do without the electronic voice & distracting mispronunciations. And come to think of it, why is thos channel called "Art Deco" when it has nothing to do with that style? Well, interesting info, as i said, & thumbs up.

Leonardo da Vinci was probably the most brilliant man to ever live. His curiosity, intuition and intellectual reasoning are unmatched.

It makes me laugh when people say 'oh, maybe they added the ermine to conceal a pregnancy '. Like the artist couldn't just paint a non-pregnant shape? It's not photography. You can make it look any way you want it to.

What has always captured my attention are her hands. What young woman has hands like that? Young men do. Teenage maybe. Look at those wrists. Too gangly for a woman.

Weasels are only weasels, and not the ermine with much sought after fur, until thier fur turn white in Winter. Then thier fur shall line the cloaks of Nobility and Royalty....

Enjoy your vids, but want to scream when you use a word so constantly and mispronounced it. Ermine rhymes with determine. The last syllable does not rhyme with sign.

I would say Leonardo struggled to paint hands very well. The hands looked oversized and aged in relation to a 16 year old girl. I noticed this a few time in his paintings. So not quite the master portrait painter we are led to believe.

There are only eight paintings by Leonardo that are universally accepted as authentic, and this work doesn't fall in that category. But how can it not? It incorporates every technique that Leonardo ever used; from the sfumato effect on the edges, to her delicately designed hands. Although it can't be called an "underrated masterpiece", it's definitely unjustly overshadowed by the Mona Lisa. In my opinion, there's so much more to discover in this painting. So many little details that one has to investigate. I understand the old-as-time mystery of the Mona Lisa's smile, but really, what's so mysterious about it? It's just a smile. And then there's the whole controversy about the sitter, and I don't know why historians make this such a big deal. Artists quite often didn't indicate who the sitter was (especially during the 15th and 16th centuries). This would usually be done in letters to the commissioners, or vice versa. Another beautiful and eerie aspect that I think surpasses the Mona Lisa is the painting's background. As you probably know, being a connoisseur in art, Leonardo was the first artist to use a non-static background in a portrait. Obviously the Mona Lisa is the most famous example of this, but also his portrait of Ginevra de' Benci. Despite this, five of his other portraits - namely "Lady with an Ermine", "Portrait of a Musician", "La Belle Ferronniere", "Salvator Mundi" (uncertain) and "Saint John the Baptist" - have static, dark backgrounds which give the works a certain eerie, mysterious feel to them, much like that of Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring", which I think is definitely more unearthly than the Mona Lisa.

I don’t pretty much understand arts but isn’t her right hand a little disproportionate compared to her body ?

Another class on fine art and history. Thank you!

So basically Lord Farquaad wanted to be subtly depicted as his fursona? 5:49

The voice compression in this video is almost unbearable. I stopped watching early because of it.

If you make a video about something, at least learn how to pronounce it (er-min, not er-mine).

An ermine is a stoat in its winter fur, NOT a weasel - they are entirely different species though both mustelidae.

And way better than the mona lisa!

Any chance you could make a video about the triumph of truth by Hans von Aachen? I saw it in Detroit and can’t figure out all of the symbolism that it appears to have. It’s very beautiful!

My dictionary and every person that I have ever heard pronounce the word "ermine" uses a short "i" instead of a long"i".

Stoats and weasels are two different things. Weasels are red and they don’t change colour.

Neat video!...But ermine is pronounced ur-min. It rhymes with Herman.

In the UK at least an ermine is a symbol of nobility pointing towards the duke perhaps

My favorite of Leonardo's works. Mona Lisa is over-hyped. Loved the thoughts about the Lady and her ermine.

Ngl it reminds me of the dæmons in His Dark Materials.

I heard about this painting since my childhood because Poles are incredibly proud that we have one of Leonardo's paintings in our country. Also you could have added that originally background of the painting consisted of a ladscape but it was badly demaged bc of poor storing conditions and Leonardo's experimental painting techniques. Izabela Czartoryska ordered to paint it black to cover the demage and so it would match better other (mostly baroque) paintings in her gallery. Those had dark backgrounds. There's a whole debate if the black paint should be removed or not. It would be fun if you ever did a video about Izabela Czartoryska. She had a cute little habit of stealing artworks from other people homes and museums so she could add them to her collection. Everybody knew she stole but noone could really stop her

Always preferred this work to the Mona Lisa. Seems better executed and if it's the same 'model' this was definite improvement.

to protect the painting from Russians during the November Uprising in Poland (1830-31) Izabela Dorota (de domo Flemming) Princess Czartoryska sent it to Paris. When it was returned to Poland in 1876, the "Lady with an ermine" was accommodated in the CZARTORYSKI Museum in Cracow.

"ERMINE" is pronounced with a SOFT "i".

This is one of my fave paintings. More than the Mona Lisa actually.

*HEY GUYS!* Art Deco has posted😌

The blue background really enriched the painting. Too bad she painted it over.

I saw it at Wawel in Kraków few years ago...its owned by a polish family. Beautiful piece

Great video, but this AI voice is really annoying.

“She lived, he died”, well if that wasn’t anticlimactic 🤣

Terrific info, thanks, but ermine is pronounced er-min.

You sure know all the facts about the painting, but it would be more pleasant to listen to it in an easy way. Its necessary to breath, and make pauses while talking. It is not a description of any painting. You know. There is time enough to tell all details to let the listeners get the information as told. My suggestion. Thanks though.