Anguissola's Self Portrait

SOFONISBA ANGUISSOLA’S SELF-PORTRAIT (1561)

Depicts Anguissola as a virtous lady of the Renaissance Era. Chadwick states that her “presentation of herself as a modest young women of refinement and culture places the work in a tradition of self-portraits which articulate the Renaissance ideal of the artist as gentlemen/women rather than artisan.” (pg. 82 ch. 2)

Going off of this perspective you can see the dark, monotone theme present in all of her paintings. Particularly analyzing this one, we see black heavy attire atop a dainty white collar peaking through. It's very alluring that the center of this piece lands on her chest, showcasing her attire most apparently. You can see she has a triangle composition affect in play as the action seems to be found at each of three points within the painting. Her hair is perfectly pinned back and braided. Her features are poised and stern. All of these aspects of the painting suggest her modesty, silent mannerisms and her womanly attributes. She is a women of the time. Furthermore her cheeks and lips are lightly stained as to further the representation of a women’s person at the time played out by Castiglione's 'Courtier'r. Her hands are perfectly curved to the keys. They are smooth porcelain hands with intent and obedience. We also see a looming visage in the background. This part of the piece, from the viewers perspective is barely there and pushed into the farthest corner. It is intimate in the sense that it seems personal and as if we are beholding a private moment. The way it is all darkly composed and refined allows intentions to easily flow from the audiences mind to their eyes and into the portrait itself.

I thought the story of her pieces were very interesting. I read in Chadwick’s Women, Art, and Society that she was not able to sell her pieces but they passed around with great pleasure. Furthermore, when the King of Spain saw one of her pieces he was so impressed he ordered ten and that is how her paintings became so valuable. What a way to get there!