Leonardo and the Poisoned Patron

 

Leonardo and the Poisoned Patron

Date: 1496

Story:
Leonardo was hired to paint a portrait of Beatrice d’Este, the glamorous and politically savvy wife of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. However, during sittings, Leonardo became alarmed by her deteriorating health: trembling hands, mood swings, and hair loss.
His private notes described symptoms consistent with mercury poisoning—a common ingredient in cosmetics of the time. But Leonardo suspected something worse: deliberate poisoning.
Court rumors swirled that Ludovico wanted to remarry for a better alliance. Leonardo hinted as much in cryptic sketches, including a woman dissolving into smoke while holding a crown.
Shortly after the portrait was finished, Beatrice died at age 21. Leonardo wrote in his journal: “A face full of light snuffed out by powder and betrayal.”
Though no charges were ever brought, Leonardo abruptly left Milan soon after. It’s believed he destroyed the original painting and preserved only a chalk study.
The death haunted him, appearing in later symbolic works—especially in his unfinished “Saint Anne.”

Key Characters:

• Leonardo da Vinci

• Beatrice d’Este

• Ludovico Sforza

• Milanese court physicians

Reference:

• Codex Trivulzianus, entries 1495–1496

• The Poisoned Duchess: Milan 1496 by Antonio Ravelli

• Letters from Leonardo to Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco