Self-portrait

Sofonisba Anguissola

Download hi-res image TITLE Self-portrait
AUTHOR Sofonisba Anguissola
DATE 1560 - 1
OBJECT TYPE AND MATERIAL Oil on canvas
TECNICA OPERA oil on canvas
DIMENSIONS cm 36 x 29
INVENTORY 1309
ROOM XIX
Work on display

This artist is one of the few Renaissance women painters to have achieved international renown and acclaim. The inscription suggests that the picture was painted at the start of her lengthy stay at the court in Madrid. The young woman wears a sophisticated gown rendered with an illuminator’s technique in the embroidered chemise, the fur trim and the hair interwoven with gold, pearls and rubies. The portrait belongs to Sofonisba’s final “Cremona” style characterised by meticulous observation “from life”.