# The Ermine Hunt [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [LEONARDO da Vinci]() - Date: 1451-1500 - Technique: Pen and brown ink over traces of black chalk on paper, diameter 91 mm ## Commentary The Ermine Hunt c. 1494 Pen and brown ink over traces of black chalk on paper, diameter 91 mm Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge In this drawing Leonardo depicted the motif of a hunter capturing an ermine. He possibly intended it as the design for the reverse of a medal. According to legend, ermines will protect their immaculately white fur from soiling, even at the risk of death. This is why the ermine served as the visualisation of the knightly motto about personal honour: Better dead than dishonoured. ## Related artworks - [Adoration of the Magi]() - [Allegory with wolf and eagle]() - [Anatomical studies \(larynx and leg\)]() - [Anatomical studies of a male shoulder]() - [Anatomical studies of the shoulder]() - [Anatomical studies]() - [Annunciation \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation \(detail\)]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()