When he portrayed Cecilia Gallerani, she was about sixteen years old at the time and had joined the ranks of court artists.

She was an educated person, was fluent in Latin, knew music, and created poetry. Moreover, she enjoyed the particular favor of Ludovic. The ruler, who had been planning his wedding to the Princess of Ferrara, Beatrice d'Este, for a long time, postponed it. Finally, the wedding took place in January 1491, and in May of the same year, Cecilia gave birth to Ludovic, a son named Cesario.