Sofonisba Anguissola

 

Four paintings and a drawing by the remarkable (and sly) Sofonisba Anguissola (c. 1532 – 16 November 1625), the 395th anniversary of whose death is today. Court painter for Felipe II de España, she returned to Italy later in life where she was regarded as the leading painter of her time in Genova. In the end she moved to Palermo, where she was visited by Anthony van Dyke, as a kind of pilgrimage. He also drew her portrait. She died at the age of 93. Among the artists she particularly inspired and influenced was Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

 This painting is said to have inspired Caravaggio's Boy bitten by a Lizard.  It looks more likely to be a copy than the original or perhaps poorly restored.  Here's the (much better) drawing for it.

Finally, here's Anthony van Dykes's portrait of Sofonisba at the age of 92 in the year 1624.