Additional texteExhibition text: Anguissola was one of the rare Renaissance women artists who achieved widespread fame in her lifetime, praised especially for the ability to infuse her portraits with life. The sensitive likeness of an unknown canon (or priest) wearing the typical white linen rochet, belongs to a group of small-scale portraits painted by the young artist in Cremona. These early portraits helped publicize Anguissola’s skill, and in 1559 she was called to king Philip II’s court in Madrid.
Exhibition text: Sofonisba was one of the rare Renaissance women artists who achieved widespread fame in her lifetime, praised for the ability to infuse her portraits with life. The sensitive likeness of an unknown canon regular wearing the typical white linen rochet, belongs to a group of small-scale portraits painted by the young artist in Cremona, before being called to king Philip II’s court in Madrid in 1559. These early portraits helped publicize her skill.
