tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post7468108950816849234..comments2024-03-09T11:34:22.175+00:00Comments on The History Girls: Leonardo, Cecilia and that "ermine"Mary Hoffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241989732624913706noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-5130682073201584682011-12-03T19:00:46.800+00:002011-12-03T19:00:46.800+00:00Grrr! Blogger ate my long comment and I have to wr...Grrr! Blogger ate my long comment and I have to write it all again!<br /><br />The inscription on the portrait, Theresa, was added shortly after 1800 when Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski bought it for his mother and it was first hung in Cracow.<br /><br />It was misleading since La Belle Ferronière is the title most often given to another portrait in the exhibition, of Lucrezia Crivelli, who succeeded Cecilia as Ludovico's mistress.<br /><br />She also bore him a son.<br /><br />But there is further confusion because a "cataloguing error" gave this name to Lucrezia's portrait, believing it to be that of a mistress of Frab=ncis 1 of France.<br /><br />"Ferronière" means either "the ironmonger's wife" (it is unlikely to be a female ironmonger!) or refers to the bandeau-style piece of jewellery she wears on her head.Mary Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241989732624913706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-58221932787830883222011-12-03T10:19:48.170+00:002011-12-03T10:19:48.170+00:00What a beauty she was. I've not come across t...What a beauty she was. I've not come across this portrait before - thank you for giving us this fascinating description.Linda B-Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01599899073420595717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-26328099972293288902011-12-02T21:57:35.830+00:002011-12-02T21:57:35.830+00:00I've loved this picture for a long time - it&#...I've loved this picture for a long time - it's wonderful to find out more about its background; thank you.<br /><br />I've always been rather troubled by the animal, and having now my own 16-year-old with her own mustelids, I'm even more troubled by it. It's large, its head is not quite the right shape, its posture is wrong... The colour is between summer and winter coat, and the fur short - but it's shorter in summer anyway, and Italy's hot and not very stoat-friendly. <br /><br />I love the idea that it was probably a cushion, the animal added later!Stroppy Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16560035800075465845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-45725894272988089802011-12-02T18:59:07.675+00:002011-12-02T18:59:07.675+00:00I too first saw this painting in Krakow some years...I too first saw this painting in Krakow some years ago where I was by myself in a room with her as opposed to being among the press of people in the National Gallery this week. Without the glass barrier the flash of red on the breast of the ermine is more distinct. The words "LA BELE FERONIERE" written in gold at the top left hand corner add to the mystery. She was reputed to be a writer and a poet. I think she's neither looking nor listening to anyone in the room, then or now. She's aware of us, but has removed herself mentally and is contemplating something we will never know.Theresa Breslinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02240135723649161949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-78940957313663341892011-12-02T13:10:33.049+00:002011-12-02T13:10:33.049+00:00I first saw this beautiful painting in its permane...I first saw this beautiful painting in its permanent home in Krakow many years ago. Still haunting. What was so lovely about seeing it in Krakow (in the early 90s) was the sense of its importance to Poland's national identity and heritage...Jane McLoughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11560284790806029134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-90650878819278282422011-12-01T15:37:24.250+00:002011-12-01T15:37:24.250+00:00Thanks Mary, that was really interesting. I was pa...Thanks Mary, that was really interesting. I was particularly taken by how beautiful and delicate her hands are.Astrid Holmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09055395058044545566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-17332859301613415122011-12-01T14:14:23.165+00:002011-12-01T14:14:23.165+00:00What a wonderful post, Mary - thank you! I love th...What a wonderful post, Mary - thank you! I love this painting, but have only known a detail of it - the girl's face plus the animal's head - from a postcard. I had never seen her gorgeous sleeves before! Or known anything about her identity, come to that... Her hair has always intrigued and puzzled me. Does a section of hair really pass under her chin? And if so, what happens to it on the other side? Can any hairstyle expert enlighten me?H.M. Castorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08716936870601385683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-66902675906129735442011-12-01T08:27:40.565+00:002011-12-01T08:27:40.565+00:00Fascinating symbolism Mary and yes, an amazing exp...Fascinating symbolism Mary and yes, an amazing expression on her face... a knowingness yet innocence as well with that slight half smile. You can imagine him standing there.Dianne Hofmeyrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18222157214605257030noreply@blogger.com