Sofonisba Anguissola

Sofonisba Anguissola, Self-Portrait, 1556

I became fascinated with Sofonisba Anguissola during a history of Renaissance art class. She was one of the only female artists of the 16^th century to become successful at portraiture, despite cultural prejudices of her time which discouraged women from studying the human figure.

Sofonisba met Michelangelo, who recognized her talent and tutored her. She grew in popularity and even painted portraits for the King of Spain. She developed her own distinct style, and I really love her self–portraits because she always paints herself writing, painting or holding a book. She did this to assert her identity as a respectable, educated and artistic woman at a time when many women did not receive an education.

Sofonisba Anguissola, Self-Portrait, 1610