Leonardo da Vinci

The Mona Lisa is not in the exhibition at The National Galley, as The Louvre never loans it out.  When I saw the Mona Lisa (also known as La Gioconda or La Joconde), for the first time, I was a little disappointed as it is a small and dark painting, but -  somehow it has a reverence and magnetism about it.

detail of a larger painting

Cecelia Gallerani was 15 when this was painted by Leonardo in 1485. He was 33.  

She was the mistress of Ludovico Sforza and his emblem was the ermine, which she holds.  

At the moment, there is, of course, an exhibition at The National Gallery in London
of  Leonardo da Vinci - until beginning of February 2012.

Leonardo self-portraits as a young and old man.
http://www.nkfu.com/leonardo-da-vincinin-cizimleri-foto-galeri/