Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Ginevra de' Benci" is a captivating portrait of Ginevra de' Benci, a young aristocratic woman from Florence. The painting depicts Ginevra in a three-quarter view against a background of juniper trees and a distant landscape. The juniper trees are significant as they play on her name: "Ginevra" sounds similar to "ginepro," the Italian word for juniper.

Ginevra’s face is beautifully rendered with Leonardo's trademark technique of sfumato, where the transitions between colors and tones are subtly blended to give a soft, lifelike impression. Her skin is luminous, with delicate shading around her eyes, lips, and cheeks that reveals robust yet serene youthfulness. Ginevra’s gaze is slightly averted, suggesting a thoughtful and introspective nature. Her hair is intricately detailed, showing a curly fringe framing her face and a braid that disappears behind her neck, adorned with a delicate string of pearls.

She is dressed modestly in the fashion of the time, with a sumptuous, dark dress that has gold accents. The intricate brocade pattern on her sleeves showcases Leonardo’s keen eye for detail.

The background consists of the juniper bush directly behind her, symbolizing chastity, and beyond it, a lake fading into the horizon, with atmospheric perspective adding a sense of depth. This landscape, although less detailed than her figure, harmonizes with the overall composition to create a balanced and serene scene.

Information about the Original Painting and the Artist:
Leonardo da Vinci painted "Ginevra de' Benci" around 1474-1478 when he was in his early twenties. It is widely believed to be commissioned by her family to commemorate her betrothal to Luigi di Bernardo Niccolini at the age of 16. The painting is currently held in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and is the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas.

This portrait is significant as it marks Leonardo's early foray into portraiture. He ventured beyond the traditional profile view favored at the time, moving towards a more engaging three-quarter view which allowed for a more nuanced representation of personality and expression. The subtle emotional depth and realism shown in Ginevra’s face are exemplary of Leonardo's innovative approach to painting.

Noteworthy Details:
- The back of the painting, known as the reverse side, features an emblematic image of a juniper sprig encircled by a wreath of laurel and palm, with a Latin inscription “Virtutem Forma Decorat” (Beauty Adorns Virtue). This further emphasizes the symbolic connection between Ginevra and the juniper, and attributes her beauty to her virtuous character.

- Leonardo’s use of sfumato and his meticulous attention to anatomical precision and the effects of light were pioneering techniques that heralded significant developments in Renaissance art.

- "Ginevra de' Benci" is considered one of the earliest examples of a realistic portrayal of a woman in Renaissance art, displaying both outer beauty and an inner life, thus breaking away from the more stylized portraits of the era.

- Despite its current state, the painting was once part of a larger work, demonstrated by the cut edges at the bottom. Early records suggest it possibly included her hands, a common compositional choice in later Leonardo works like "Mona Lisa."

Leonardo da Vinci's career spanned multiple disciplines, making him a timeless symbol of the Renaissance ideal. His innovative methods in painting, combined with his studies in anatomy, light, and nature, contributed to his status as one of the greatest artists of all time. "Ginevra de' Benci" stands as a testament to his genius and his ability to capture not just the outward appearance but the essence of his subjects.