Portrait of Bianca Sforza

About this article

The discovery of a portrait known as La Bella Principessa sparked an intense debate in the art world over its attribution to Leonardo da Vinci.

Key vocabulary

attribution noun

The act of officially ascribing a work of art to a particular creator, period, or origin.

sfumato noun

An artistic technique of blending tones and colors so softly that there is no perceptible transition or sharp edge.

vellum noun

A fine parchment smooth surface material prepared from the skin of a young animal, traditionally used for writing or drawing.

multispectral imaging noun phrase

An advanced optical technology that captures image data across specific frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum to expose subsurface details.

connoisseurship noun

Expertise, refined taste, and critical judgment in matters of art, style, and historical authenticity.