A Pleasant Surprise

The year is 1623, and Sir Anthony Van Dyck had come to visit me. He said to have come for advice, although my vision is so far gone you might call me blind. I was not able to paint or sketch for him, because I have what is called "cataracts" today. I did, however, give him verbal advice.
Before my vision started to fade, I had seen some of Anthony's work. For example, I saw one of his earlier self-portraits. Beautiful work, but I did encourage him to experiment with richer and brighter colors from time to time.

Self-portrait by Anthony Van Dyck

 I allowed him to paint a portrait of me, and I am glad it is he who will be painting the last one. At 91 years old, it would not be strange if I passed any day now.

Portrait of Sofonisba Anguissola by Anthony Van Dyck

It is an accurate depiction of me, although I do look rather terrible. I do hope that he will take my advice to heart and continue to grow as an artist. Although I myself can no longer paint, I do enjoy supporting the younger generation of painters.

- Sofonisba Anguissola, 91 years old


Sources: wikipedia.org, blog.raucousroyals.com

Elisabeth of Valois

The year is 1568, and my dear Elisabeth of Valois has just passed away in childbirth. 9 years in Spain I had spent with her, watching her grow from girl to woman, and her death has truly cast a pallor over the entire court. Although I was only her lady-in-waiting, I was her art tutor as well, and each moment with her was a joy. It is a shame for such a woman to pass at the young age of 23.

Elisabeth de Valois, painted by myself

King Philip II is devastated, to say the least. I had never seen a couple so much in love before Elisabeth and Philip. Elisabeth's mother offered her younger daughter Margaret to Philip, but he promptly refused. He obviously is not in the mood to think of other women.
However, now the matter of my own future comes into question here. Now that Elisabeth has passed, I am no longer needed as her art tutor or lady-in-waiting. Will I stay as court painter here, or will Philip send me elsewhere? He had discussed the topic of my marriage recently, but I am already 36. Whether I marry or not is no longer of great importance to me. Wherever I am, as long as I have my canvas and paints, I am happy.

- Sofonisba Anguissola, 36 years old


 Sources: wikipedia.org, mystudios.com, answers.com

On the Index Librorum Prohibitorum

The year is 1559, and I am currently residing in Spain as court painter and lady-in-waiting to Elisabeth of Valois. However, I still write home and I have heard that Pope Paul IV has actually started to banish books. (He calls it the Pauline Index) Being a painter, my own work is not affected by this act, but my appall is no less. To prohibit knowledge is to put restraints on the growth of the state.
The Church claims to be protecting their people from incorrect and immoral information that would reduce their faith, but we all know that is not the case. They are scared of losing power. Already I hear the people complaining about the Pope's actions, saying that it was most unwise of him to do so.
Anyways, the people who have had their works censored must have been intelligent to make the Church feel threatened. If these men are that intelligent, they will find ways around the bans and continue to publish.
I never had much love for Church officials, those close-minded men. It was partly due to their influence that I was not allowed to study anatomy or draw from life, because ladies are not allowed to view nudes. Therefore, I am not able to paint those complex and wonderful large-scale religious or historical paintings one sees and reveres so often these days. It is a shame, but I have simply learned to paint other things.
Again, the Church's censorship has clearly gone too far. Hopefully, it is only a matter of time before the cultural rebirth of Italy begins to influence the Church's views as well.

- Sofonisba Anguissola, 27 years old


Sources: wikipedia.org, fordham.edu, timelineindex.com

Michelangelo

October, 1541

Dear Diary,

Michelangelo really is an amazing painter. My father told me Michelangelo is all the way in Rome, and that he just finished painting The Last Judgment on the wall of the Sistine Chapel.
But some of the cardinals are saying that some of the men in the painting are "sacrilegious." My father said it means that they don't like how some of the men are naked because you can see their privates. He said some of the important religious men are demanding that someone cover up the wall or paint over the men's privates. I think that they should leave it the way it is. Michelangelo painted it that way because it would look good, and if someone tried to change it, it wouldn't be Michelangelo's anymore. He spent a long time painting it, and he really is a great painter, so I don't see why the cardinals want to cover it up. Elena, Lucia, Europa, Minerva and Anna Maria agree with me. But obviously, my brother doesn't care. He never cares about anything art-related. I think my father is disappointed in him.
Anyways, one day, I'm going to go to Rome and see The Last Judgment and convince the cardinals to leave the painting alone and I'll talk to Michelangelo too. Maybe he'll even teach me how to paint. That's my dream.

-Sofonisba Anguissola, 9 years old


Sources: wikipedia.org, dicksonc.act.edu 

Sofonisba Anguissola

As not many of the 21st century are aware of who I am, allow a brief introduction:
I was born in Lombardy around 1532. I say around because being one of seven children, not even I was quite sure of my own birth date. Both of my parents were of noble background, so I was fortunate enough to be receive a well-rounded education that included the fine arts.
Above all, my father stressed painting, and I was sent to study with Bernardino Campi and Bernardino Gatti. It was an honor to be able to learn under such respected painters. My greatest work while studying under Bernardino Campi was the double portrait Bernardino Campi Painting Sofonisba Anguissola. It was quite an accomplishment for an eighteen year old, if I may say so myself.

Bernardino Campi Painting Sofonisba Anguissola

Both Bernardinos were excellent teachers, but the best guidance I received in my entire artistic career came from the celebrated Michelangelo. When I was only 22, I happened to meet him in Rome, and this great artist offered to help me with my work. I sketched Child Bitten by a Crab, and he claimed that I had talent. For two years, my style prospered under his watchful eye. (He once said, "Genius is eternal patience." I had always admired that quote, and decided to make it the title of my blog.)  

The completed Child Bitten by a Crab

After Rome, I had the pleasure of joining the Spanish Court. I was recommended to Philip II by the Duke of Alba and there served as the court painter and lady-in-waiting to the Queen herself.
After the Queen's unfortunate death, Philip had the generosity to invest in my future by marrying me to Don Francisco de Moncada, son of the viceroy of Sicily. Together, we left Spain to settle in Palermo, where my husband died in 1579.
While traveling home to Cremona, I met another man by the name of Orazio Lomellino. He was the captain of my ship, and a considerably younger but handsome man. Being a rather unorthodox woman, I proposed to him at the end of our voyage and we were married shortly after.
My years with Orazio may very well have been my greatest. 45 long and happy years I spent with my second husband. Towards the end of my life, I had cataracts and could no longer paint. However, I was still very involved in the arts and continued to patron many artists.

Self-Portrait

Unfortunately, I died in 1625, leaving my younger husband behind. On what would have been my 100th birthday, he had a quote engraved on my tombstone: "To Sofonisba, my wife ... who is recorded among the illustrious women of the world, outstanding in portraying the images of man ... Orazio Lomellino, in sorrow for the loss of his great love, in 1632, dedicated this little tribute to such a great woman." He always was a kind and humble man.
I regret no part of my life, and I do believe I lived it to the fullest. I am proud of both myself and of the works I made. I do not intend to sound too prideful, but without me, the period of Renaissance art would not have been the same.


Sources: wikipedia.org, artcyclopedia.com, mystudios.com, womenshistory.about.com