Portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci by Leonardo da Vinci

Portrait of Ginevra de Benci by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci (Florentine, 1452 – 1519), Ginevra de’ Benci [obverse], c. 1474/1478, oil on panel, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund 1967.6.1.a

Welcome back for Season 2! I’m starting off with one of the Gallery’s greatest hits, the portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci by Leonardo da Vinci. It’s the only painting by Leonardo in America!

We’ll explore this unusual two-sided work, find out the story behind the strange combination of plants on the back and even learn a little Latin. I’ll also tell you where you can find Leonardo’s fingerprint!

close up showing Leonardo's fingerprint
Reverse side of Portrait of Ginevra de' Benci
Leonardo da Vinci (Florentine, 1452 – 1519), Wreath of Laurel, Palm, and Juniper with a Scroll inscribed Virtutem Forma Decorat [reverse], c. 1474/1478, tempera on panel, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund 1967.6.1.b
SHOW NOTES

“A Long Look” theme is “Ascension” by Ron Gelinas youtu.be/jGEdNSNkZoo

Episode theme is “Galliard, Parthenia XIII (For Bassoon and Harp – Feller-Rønnes)” composed by John Bull. Performed by Mac Playback Harp.
https://musopen.org/music/31808-galliard-parthenia-xiii/

Ginevra de’ Benci information
https://www.nga.gov/collection/highlights/da-vinci-ginevra-de-benci.html

https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.50724.html#relatedpages

Slow Art Day http://www.slowartday.com

RECOMMENDED READING

Virtue and Beauty: Leonardo’s Ginevra de’ Benci and Renaissance Portraits of Women (PDF)