Скачать или смотреть Michelangelo Praised Her Genius. Sofonisba Anguissola Defied Tradition

Sofonisba Anguissola (c.1532–1625) was a Renaissance artist who rewrote the rules of what women could achieve in the arts. Born into a noble family in Cremona, Italy, she received an unusual education for a girl: formal training in drawing and painting under local masters, while many women were confined to domestic arts. This early support allowed her to cultivate a refined style that combined delicate realism with expressive insight.

Anguissola’s portraits were revolutionary. She captured not only the likeness of her sitters, but also their personality and emotion—an approach that set her apart from many contemporaries. Her skill drew the attention of Michelangelo, who praised her talent and offered guidance. By her early twenties, she was recognized across Italy as a painter of remarkable ability.

Her reputation soon crossed borders. In 1559, Sofonisba was invited to the Spanish court to serve as a lady-in-waiting and court painter for Queen Elisabeth of Valois, wife of Philip II. There, she painted intimate and official portraits of the royal family, influencing European portraiture for decades. She also advised and mentored other artists, including the young Anthony van Dyck, shaping the next generation of painters.

Even later in life, Sofonisba continued to work and innovate, marrying, traveling, and painting well into her 90s. She challenged societal expectations at every stage, proving that women could claim artistic mastery without sacrificing intellect, vision, or agency. Her legacy endured not only in her works, but also in the doors she opened for women in professional art.

Sofonisba Anguissola didn’t just paint history—she became part of it, leaving a body of work that celebrated talent, ambition, and the transformative power of art.