The Mystery of Raphael's 'Lady with a Unicorn': Who Was She?

The woman depicted in Raphael's 'La Dame à la Licorne' (c. 1505–1506) remains unidentified. This artwork, located in the Borghese Gallery, features a young lady alongside a unicorn, a representation of virginity. Initially believed to be created by Perugino or Andrea del Sarto, it was later attributed to Raphael following a restoration in 1934–1935 that uncovered the original unicorn. Anna Coliva proposes that the model is Maddalena Strozzi, Agnolo Doni's wife, due to resemblances to Raphael's 'La Donna gravida.' Linda Wolk-Simon suggests Laura Orsini, daughter of Giulia Farnese, as a candidate. Another perspective claims she could be an unnamed Roman aristocrat. X-rays from 1959 revealed a small dog under the unicorn, pointing to Raphael's original concept. Some experts contend that the painting embodies the ideals of the Florentine Renaissance.