THE ART OF LEONARDO da VINCI

LADY WITH AN ERMINE (c.1485) (above) This wonderfully graceful portrait probably represents Cecilia Gallerani, the mistress of Ludovico Sforza. An ermine was one of Ludovico's emblems, and the Greek word for animal - galen - is a pun on Cecilia's surname. Her attentive gaze and the ermine's predatory expression are painted with equal mastery.

GINEVRA de' BENCI (c.1474)(above) Leonardo probably painted this picture to mark the wedding of Ginevra de' Benci, the daughter of a friend. The foliage framing her head is that of a juniper tree (in Italian "ginepra") - a punning reference to her name. the sitter looks rather sullen, but Leonardo conveys great individuality of personality.

THE LAST SUPPER (c.1495) (above) In spite of its battered condition, Leonardo's only surviving mural retains much of the dignified authority that made it the most revered painting in the world. He shows the moment when Christ tells his discipiles that one of them will betray him, their varied reactions depicted with unprecedented psychological subtlety.

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