Lady with an Ermine - Leonardo Da Vinci

Lady with an Ermine is generally considered to be the most valuable painting in Polish museums. It is also the only work by Leonardo Da Vinci in Poland. After many troubles, the painting is today presented in the National Museum in Kraków since May 2017.

Lady with an Ermine was painted in 1489. It depicts Cecilia Gallerani with an ermine in her arms. The animal is a symbol of Ludovico Sforza, her lover, who was engaged with Beatrice d'Este at the time. Leonardo Da Vinci presented the lovers in a symbolic way, without undermining the powerful aristocrat's relationship.

The painting arrived in Poland in 1788. It was bought by Adam Jerzy Czartoryski for his mother. It was then presented in the Gothic House in Puławy. In 1880, the portrait was taken to the yet unfinished Czartoryski Museum in Kraków. During World War II, it decorated apartments of Governor Hans Frank. Germany gave back the painting in 1946.

In the second half of the 20th century, the painting was presented in the Czartoryski Museum. As time passed, its location and maintenance costs aroused bigger and bigger controversy. The Princes Czartoryski Foundation was accused of endangering the painting during presentations in numerous museums. It was also pointed out that the museum doesn't provide proper storage conditions. After many troubles, the painting and the entire collection of the Czartoryski Museum were bought by the government at the end of 2016. Lady with an Ermine was displayed on Wawel for several months. In May 2017, it was taken to the separated hall in the National Museum in Kraków.