Leah in the Garden

This painting is meant to be the personification of the classical ideal of "venustas" - the quality of grace that unites outward beauty with inner spiritual radiance. In the past, the female nude has been used to symbolize truth (the naked truth), justice, freedom, fate, and fortune. Michelangelo discussed at length his metaphysical ideas and felt his nudes embodied the highest ideals of Neo-Platonism. In the back of DaVinci's portrait of Genvievre De'Benci he painted the inscription “Virtutem For Ma Decorat" which means virtue is adorned with beauty. In the form of an unfurled banner the artist used the same words within this painting of his wife. The artist has captured strength, vulnerability and calm self-possession in his subject as she gazes steadily at the viewer.