Sofonisba Anguissola is considered the first «successful» woman artist (painter) of the Renaissance… She served in the court of Phillip II of Spain, the most powerful monarch of the times… She is known for her portraits and for establishing new rules of painting feminine portraits… I think you will enjoy her paintings…
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CHEERS
JaZzArt en València 
Thank you, Francesco, for the introduction to the talented painter, Sofonisba Anguissola, and her wonderful works! You are right, I like her paintings very much!
Joanna
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A phenomenal woman and a brilliant painter! Thank you Joanna, so much!
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Thank you, Francesco, and you are more than welcome!
Joanna
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Thank you Joanna!
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PS. I was so intrigued by this extraordinary woman painter that I looked up her biography and discovered that she was Italian from a noble family, and although she lived in Spain for some time, she later moved back to Italy, and lived and died in Genoa.
Joanna
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Yes, that is quite right. I am so glad she resonated with you Joanna. Fabulous!
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Thank you again, Francesco, for your fascinating introduction to the extraordinary painter, Sofonisba Anguissola, and her wonderful works!
Joanna
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My pleasure Joanna! So glad you enjoyed it!
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I did very much, thank you, Francesco!
Joanna
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Phenomenal Joanna! Cheers.
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We like this self-portrait with the big eyes and the book. In a way, it’s stylish.
Thanks for introducing us to this lady
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I am glad the story resonated with you and also I agree, I fancy quite a bit that portrait… Thank you so much!
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Totally agree with your assessment of her talent. I always favored Elizabeth I over Phillip and acknowledge both had different strengths and weaknesses.
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I have visited the palace of Phillip II, El Escorial, close to Madrid and it is imposing. The greatest and biggest castle built for the most powerful ruler on earth at the time. It was the time the sun did not set upon the Spanish Empire. Yet his private apartments in the palace was quite austere, simple and with a door that led directly to the chapel… He was an unassuming man who mostly dressed in black, like he did when posing for his famous portrait. But his queen was Ana. There was no Elizabeth by that time. He was, I believe, her grandchild…
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He was Elizabeth’s brother in law at one point being married to her much older half sister Mary. Seems like part of their destinies were entertwined.
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