"Lady with the Squirrel" is one of the four portraits of women by the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci, along with "Mona Lisa", "Portrait of Ginevra de Bencini" and "The Beautiful Ferronnier".

Many believe that the image depicted in the painting is Sicilia Gallerani, the beloved woman of Ludovico Sfors, Duke of Milan. Later, such a possibility appeared that the same woman was also depicted in another portrait of the artist - "The Beautiful Ferroniera". The reason why the painting is so popular is the image of a squirrel. The squirrel was considered a symbol of purity because of its white soft fur skin. On the other hand, the squirrel may also have something to do with Ludovico Sfors. Ferdinand I of Neopolitan was a member of the Order of the Squirrel from 1488 and included the image of a squirrel in his personal emblem.

As for the painting technique, we can say that the painting was painted with oil and mostly warm paints. The woman's red and green, tastefully embroidered outfit could only be completed by an elegant necklace of black beads. The artist skillfully depicted it in his work. The painting is currently preserved in the Czartoryski Museum in Poland.

Leyla HADI,
student-journalist