Sofonisba Anguissola

Sofonisba Anguissola is an Italian Renaissance painter, first woman artist of international renown whose exceptional career paves the way for future generations of women painters. Coming from a noble family of Cremona who encourages her artistic talents from childhood - extremely rare for the era - she specializes in portraiture and self-portraiture, developing a refined style characterized by penetrating psychological observation, a sober and elegant palette, and a remarkable ability to capture the intimacy and personality of her models. Invited to the Spanish court as lady-in-waiting and official portraitist to Queen Isabella of Valois, she paints the Spanish royal family for fourteen years, profoundly influencing the young Diego Velázquez. Her innovative self-portraits - representing herself painting, playing the harpsichord, or accompanied by her family - affirm her professional status and identity as an intellectual artist at a time when women are excluded from artistic practice. Living to over 90 years old and receiving the admiring visit of the young Van Dyck, she embodies the possibility for a woman to lead a recognized and respected artistic career, breaking gender barriers in the art world of the Renaissance.