Ginevra de Benci's portrait: had the lady a myopathic face?

Neurol Sci. 2012 Jun;33(3):701-2. doi: 10.1007/s10072-011-0820-0. Epub 2011 Oct 18.

Abstract

The portrait of Ginevra de Benci was painted by Leonardo da Vinci around 1474. This painting is less famous and less known than Mona Lisa but it is extremely captivating and interesting due to its own characteristics. The overall picture gives to the viewer the impression of being in front of an enigmatic, hermetic and introspective woman. However, some details of her facial expression, especially the gaze direction, the upper eyelids' heaviness, the flat mouth and the absence of any defined emotion, give her the appearance of a patient with a muscular disease.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Portrait

MeSH terms

  • Facial Expression
  • Famous Persons
  • Female
  • History, 15th Century
  • Humans
  • Medicine in Literature
  • Medicine in the Arts*
  • Muscular Diseases / history*
  • Paintings / history*
  • Speech Disorders / history