SOFONISBA Anguissola

…more artistic musings

SOFONISBA Anguissola (1532-1625) worked professionally during the Late Renaissance and was the first of women artists to gain recognition doing so.

BETWEEN THE AGE of eleven and thirteen, when young girls were restricted with their education and artistic training during that period, her father encouraged and financially supported her apprenticeship with Bernardino CAMPI. By 1549, the young artist was being tutored by Bernardo GATTI.

Self-Portrait

Three Children Oil on Panel ～ Self-Portrait at the Keyboard

By 1550’s SOFONISBA’S extraordinary talent was beginning to spread. After seeing one of the artist’s charcoal and pencil drawings, Child Bitten by a Sea Crab, did not fail to impress the famous MICHELANGELO.

Child Bitten by Sea Crab c.1554 Charcoal and Pencil

Portrait of a Young Monk c. 1562 Oil on canvas ~ Portrait of the Anguissola Family c. 1558

Portrait of Alessandro Farnese c.1560 Oil on canvas

The young Italian prince is represented clothed his brilliant embroidered cloak lined with ermine.

Portrait of a Young Woman (Isabel Clara Eugenia, c.1573) Oil on canvas

Self-Portrait c. 1560

Portrait of Diane d”Andouins and her daughter c.1565

Bernardo Campi’s portrait of Sofonisba Anguissola by Sofonisa c.1559

Double portrait of Sofonisba by Sofonisba and her teacher Campi. Recent restoration to the painting reveal that the artist painted right arm twice.

Cattolica Barbo Anguissola (Sofonisba Anguissola, Self-Portrait, ca 1610)

Sofonisba Anguissola at 92 by Anthony va Dyck c. 1624 Oil on canvas

Anthony Van Dyke became interested in personally meeting the female artist who painted the King of Spain and corresponded with Michelangelo. During the 1624 visit with 92 year old Sofonisba, Van Dyke painted this oil and observed in his sketchbook:

“She told me how she was a miraculous artist of life and the greatest torment she had known was not being able to paint anymore because of her deteriorating eyesite. Her hand was still steady without any trembling.”

Further Reading:

Sofonissba Anguissola, Biogaphy, Work and Legacy: Maria Tsanceva

SOFONISBA”S LESSON, A Renaissance Artist and Her Work: Michael W. Cole