Sofonisba Anguissola: Self-portrait (1554)

(Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria)

A painting by the Italian artist Sofonisba Anguissola (1532–1625). Sofonisba Anguissola was an important female artist. She was born in a relatively poor noble family but her talent as an artist was quickly recognized by Michelangelo who trained her informally. Sofonisba received in 1559 a commission to produce a portrait of Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, 3rd Duke of Alba who in turn recommended her to king Philip II of Spain. At the Spanish court she became a court painter and lady-in-waiting to the new queen, Elisabeth of Valois, Philip’s third wife. After the death of Elisabeth of Valois, king Philip II arranged a marriage in 1571 between Sofonisba and Fabrizio Moncada Pignatelli, son of the Prince of Paternò, Viceroy of Sicily. The couple moved to Sicily and continued to work as an artist and a tutor for future artists. After the death of her husband she moved to Genua were she married the merchant Orazio Lomellino. In 1620 the couple moved to Palermo were in 1624 Sofonisba also met the Flemish artist Anthony van Dyck who also made a portrait of her. Sofonisba died a year later in 1625 at the age of 93. This self portrait shows her at the age of 22, at the start of her career. Painting from 1554.