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Ginevra de' Benci by Leonardo da Vinci
Image: National Gallery of Art, Washington, open access (CC0)

Italian Renaissance

Ginevra de' Benci

by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1474 to 1478

National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
West Building, Main Floor, Gallery 6

Artist
Leonardo da Vinci
Date
c. 1474 to 1478
Medium
Oil on panel
Size
38.1 × 37 cm (15.0 × 14.6 in)
Period
Italian Renaissance

What you are looking at

A pale young woman with a serious expression faces us in front of a spiky juniper bush and a misty landscape. The back of the panel is painted with a wreath and a Latin motto.

Why it is famous

It is one of Leonardo's earliest portraits, painted in Florence in the 1470s, and the only painting by Leonardo in the Americas. The juniper (ginepro in Italian) is a pun on her name. The National Gallery of Art bought it from the Prince of Liechtenstein in 1967.

How big is Ginevra de' Benci?

Ginevra de' Benci measures 38.1 × 37 cm (15.0 × 14.6 in), without its frame. It is smaller than the Mona Lisa: about 33% of its area.

1.7 mGinevra de' BenciMona Lisa
Drawn to scale next to a person 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) tall, with the bottom of each painting at floor level. Frames are not included.

Compare it with other paintings

Where to see it

It is at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, which is free. Walk around the case to see the back.

National Gallery of ArtWashington, DC, United StatesWest Building, Main Floor, Gallery 6
Museum website

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More by Leonardo da Vinci

Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da VinciLady with an ErmineLeonardo da Vinci, c. 1490 KrakówVitruvian ManLeonardo da Vinci, c. 1490 VeniceThe Last SupperLeonardo da Vinci, c. 1495 to 1498 MilanSalvator Mundi by Leonardo da VinciSalvator MundiLeonardo da Vinci, c. 1500 Private collectionMona Lisa by Leonardo da VinciMona LisaLeonardo da Vinci, c. 1503 to 1506 Paris

All Leonardo da Vinci paintings

Also at the National Gallery of Art

Woman Holding a Balance by Johannes VermeerWoman Holding a BalanceJohannes Vermeer, c. 1664 Washington, DCGirl with the Red Hat by Johannes VermeerGirl with the Red HatJohannes Vermeer, c. 1669 Washington, DCWatson and the Shark by John Singleton CopleyWatson and the SharkJohn Singleton Copley, 1778 Washington, DCNapoleon in His Study by Jacques-Louis DavidNapoleon in His StudyJacques-Louis David, 1812 Washington, DCBreezing Up (A Fair Wind) by Winslow HomerBreezing Up (A Fair Wind)Winslow Homer, 1873 to 1876 Washington, DCWoman with a Parasol by Claude MonetWoman with a ParasolClaude Monet, 1875 Washington, DC

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Ginevra de' Benci?

Leonardo da Vinci painted Ginevra de' Benci in c. 1474 to 1478.

Where is the Ginevra de' Benci?

Ginevra de' Benci is in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, United States. (West Building, Main Floor, Gallery 6.)

How big is Ginevra de' Benci?

38.1 × 37 cm (15.0 × 14.6 in). It is smaller than the Mona Lisa: about 33% of its area.

What is Ginevra de' Benci made with?

Oil on panel.

Sources: National Gallery of Art, Ginevra de' Benci (1967.6.1.a), open data; Wikidata Q1267893; Wikipedia, "Ginevra de' Benci". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.

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