What the Ermine Saw - by Eden Collinsworth (Hardcover)

The Woman with an Ermine is a captivating true story that delves into the fascinating history of one of Leonardo da Vinci's most enigmatic portraits.

The book takes readers on a thrilling journey through the great palaces and palazzos of Europe, revealing the intricate details of the portrait's eventful history.

With shining hair and alabaster skin, Cecilia Gallerani, the young mistress of Duke Ludovico Sforza, sits for Leonardo, capturing his genius and the grandeur of his title.

Despite the work's importance in its own time, no records of it exist for two hundred and fifty years following Gallerani's death.

The book illuminates the remarkable history of this unique masterpiece as it journeyed from one owner to the next, including a Polish noblewoman who counted Benjamin Franklin as an admirer and eventually found refuge in Paris during the Polish Soviet War.

With dizzying effect, Collinsworth vaults between granular detail and grand context, taking readers on a glorious romp through European history.

The Woman with an Ermine is a must-read for art lovers, history buffs, and anyone captivated by the intrigue of the Renaissance era.