Cecilia Gallerani was the youngest mistress of the Duke of Milan Ludovico Sforza, a very powerful and equally cruel ruler. Just like Leonardo da Vinci, she lived at the court in Milan and regularly organised salons there: private gatherings where writers, poets, philosophers and artists met each other, and those interested in their work, to present their work.
The stoat is a symbol of Ludovico Sforza, and is used by him as a symbol of purity and moderation. Sforza was nicknamed Ermellino Bianco (the white stoat). In addition, the little animal was chosen because of a clever play on Cecilia's surname: her family name Gallerani is similar to the Ancient Greek word for stoat (galéa).
Despite her youth (16 years of age), Cecilia Gallerani managed to hold her own remarkably well at the Milanese court. She must therefore have been a very strong and intelligent young woman.
